A LINEN company with shops across the North-East will mark its 20th anniversary with a £200,000 investment programme.

The Yorkshire Linen Company, which has outlets in Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool and Bishop Auckland, is carrying out extensive refurbishment in its 43 stores.

The firm, set up in 1993, employs more than 300 people and has expanded its business to Spain and Portugal, with a turnover in excess of £18m.

Last year, the company invested £100,000 in its Hartlepool store, and owner Ross Leventhal it was committed to improving its North-East outlets.

He said: “The high street has changed beyond recognition over the last two decades and many of the household names we grew up with have disappeared.

“I’d be lying if I said it was easy out there, but we believe in the high street and wouldn’t be investing in our stores or opening new ones if we didn't.”