Wem shop owner fights illness to keep shop open

Grandmother Jane Horton, 49, suffered from a leg ulcer for more than four years and was forced to stop working or risk losing her leg.

Having to give up Wem store Market Discounts was a difficult decision, but determined to get back on her feet, she opened up Just Ask Jane in Whitchurch last year, a discount shop and ironing business on Deermoss Road.

Now she has got a new hurdle to overcome.

Ms Horton recently found out that she will need a major operation in January to deal with an ovarian cyst, as well as other health complications.

She said: "I just wish I didn't have this because I don't want to have to close again.

"It could be for about six to eight weeks, but I'm determined it won't be that long and I am sure I can be better before then.

"I know some people don't enjoy working, but I desperately want to keep the shop open and I'm desperate to cut down the time it will be closed for."

Ms Horton said the store, which sells all sorts from ice cream to ironing services, is a community driven shop and one she hopes everyone feels welcome in.

She said: "I don't want to stop working because I want to help people in the area and there are people that only spend 50p, but they are here for a natter.

"It's hard being a one-woman-band, but I enjoy working and I am work orientated so it's important to me.

"This illness is holding me back - I want to make the shop like a corner store, and promote the independent shops in the town."

But to help along the way, Ms Horton is celebrating the shop's first anniversary with a September sale.