In 2011 Tania Self-Dixon, who lives in Ross-on-Wye, almost achieved her dream of opening a wedding dress shop in Cinderford, but the night before she was due to open, the shop was the victim of an arson attack and she lost everything. Tania told the Gazette: “I was not able to save anything, I lost my sewing machines, even the rolls of cotton.”

The story of the blaze made headline news in lots of local and national papers at the time.

Since that dreadful day Tania has worked hard to run her business from home but with two daughters, Brianna and Alicia, moving back home to live, and then deciding to join her in the business, she felt the time was right to find bigger premises and open a new shop. Combining her daughter’s name has led to her calling it Alicianna Bridal Lounge.

She started looking for premises in Cinderford and was shown the shop she has now taken on. She did not realise, until the agent told her, that it was the same property which she had been about to open her business in all those years ago. She told the Ross Gazette: “I think it was just meant to be.”The frontage had changed so much and I was gobsmacked to be told it was the same shop.”

Tania sells a wide range of dresses from pre-worn, which she said means a girl can have her dream dress at a fraction of the price, to ex-shop samples to whatever a bride’s heart desires, and pocket can accommodate.

Tania also offers alterations and a range of prom dresses.

Tania told the Ross Gazette she was thrilled to take part in the Christmas lights display in Cinderford and her window features a dress made from a real Christmas tree from Ross Garden Store.