The Essex Cider Shop, in Moulsham Street, welcomed its first customers on Saturday, with more than 50 ciders and perries available.
The products range from bottled ciders to draught drinks brought in from all over the UK.
Cliff Noakes, the shop’s owner, came up with the idea after he was made redundant.
He said: “I was made redundant about 18 months ago and I decided to take six to nine months off. When I started applying for new jobs, there seemed to be so much competition for positions.
“Then I came up with the idea for the shop as I visit the West Country quite a lot, where cider is obviously very popular. After speaking to my wife I decided to go for it.”
As well as the ciders and perries, homemade crisps, jams and chutneys will be on sale, along with some juices.
Mr Noakes said he was very excited to finally see his store open. He added: “It’s all come together quite well. It has been a lot of hard work which has been quite time-consuming with all the legal stuff and getting a drinking license for the shop.
“There is no shop quite like it round here.”
Help celebrate all things local by supporting this new shop in Chelmsford!
