An independent shop is set to open in an Ipswich shopping centre after spending two years trading in Microshops.

The Nerd Hut will soon open its doors in Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich, offering more items and a space for people to play games.

The Nerd Hut was started in 2020 by Bridie Burn, 25, as an online shop, before opening her own shop in 2021.

Ipswich Star: The Nerd Hut has been in Microshops for two years. Credit: Tom CannThe Nerd Hut has been in Microshops for two years. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

It sells anything from Pokemon memorabilia to Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons.

She said: "The point of Microshops is to allow independents to start somewhere and grow their business.

"What Sailmakers offered was that next step to allow more space both on the shop side and the gaming side, but also the security of being inside a shopping centre for what is a fairly new business.

Ipswich Star: Bridie Burn, owner of The Nerd Hut. Credit: Tom CannBridie Burn, owner of The Nerd Hut. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

"I am both extremely buzzing and absolutely terrified.

"When three years ago, I created an online shop, then two years ago opening in Microshops to now, I can't believe it.

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"It's great the number of people that have come through while we have been doing the shop up and asking what I was doing and who we were, and they seemed excited after I described it to them."

Ipswich Star: Bridie started the business in 2020 online, then opened in Microshops in 2021. Credit: Tom CannBridie started the business in 2020 online, then opened in Microshops in 2021. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

Bridie said she wanted to open a "nerdy, geeky" place in Ipswich, where people could go and be sociable over something, while also providing a space where anyone can feel welcome and be helped.

With the expansion, she will be able to stock more figurines, while also hosting games on the tables they have set up, including a larger table for Warhammer, and three smaller ones for card games.

Ipswich Star: Chairs and tables have been set up in the shop. Credit: Tom CannChairs and tables have been set up in the shop. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

She continued: "It's extremely thrilling and I want to say a huge thank you to my customers, who helped raise money to help me move here because without them, we wouldn't be in this position now."

The Nerd Hut is set to open in the former Bait & Tackle shop opposite HMV in the week beginning July 24.

Ipswich Star: The shop is going to open in the former Bait and Tackle unit in Sailmakers. Credit: Tom CannThe shop is going to open in the former Bait and Tackle unit in Sailmakers. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

Ipswich Star: A Warhammer set on one of the tables. Credit: Tom CannA Warhammer set on one of the tables. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)