The owner of a new health food shop and juice bar in the heart of Maldon has said she is excited to provide residents with "targeted nutritional support" through her new business venture.

Whole Health Foods, in Edwards Walk Shopping Arcade on Maldon High Street, opened to customers today (Friday, 4 February), following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with town mayor David Ogg, mayoress Sharon Ogg and Councillor Michael Pearlman.

This is the second business Teresa Kristara has opened in Maldon following the success of Crystal Shack, which offers a range of holistic healing treatments and has seen great demand after opening just a few days before lockdown.

"An opportunity came up for the unit next to Crystal Shack, so I jumped at it," Teresa said.

"I decided to open this because Maldon is missing a health food shop - it hasn't had one for a long time."

The new shop will allow Teresa to further pursue her passion for holistic health and nutrition, having trained as a holistic therapist over 20 years ago, and bring a range of products dedicated to this to Maldon.

"I believe you are what you eat and I want to provide people with targeted nutritional support to nurture your body, really aiming at gut health," Teresa said.

"In the London health food shops, you always have a juice bar. I wanted to do the same in Maldon, so we have smoothies and fresh juices."

The shop offers a wide range of products alongside smoothies including vitamins, supplements, superfoods, vegan products such as protein blends, kombucha and advice - with Teresa already preparing to expand as, she said, "there's loads of stuff coming".

She added: "This is my baby - I want to grow it and make it a good success."

You can find Whole Health Foods at 4 Edwards Walk Arcade on Maldon High Street.