A SHOP selling a range of wines and cheeses is to open in one of the region's upmarket towns.

Victoria Grief, from Middlesbrough, will launch Blueberries, in Yarm, in early February and has plans to open a second store in the region.

After working in an Edinburgh cheese shop, and later managing a sandwich shop, Victoria saw an opportunity for a wine and cheese retailer in the area.

"I have always had a keen interest in food and wine and love eating out," she said.

"But sometimes I would prefer a night at home with a good quality bottle of wine and selection of cheese. There seemed to be a gap in the market for exclusive wines so I seized the chance and found a perfect shop on Danby Wynd, just off the high street.

"The increasing popularity of fine wine and specialist cheese was also a factor in setting up a business. To complement this, I also intend to stock a range of deli-style meats and hams, organic breads, teas, coffees and preserves, as well as more unusual and exotic spirits."

Victoria has set up the shop with support from Business Link and is so confident it will be a success, she is already planning to open a second store in Durham or Newcastle.

"There really is nothing like this in the North-East. I intend to employ two or three staff in the near future so I can work on my plans to expand. But without the help of Business Link, the business plan would have been harder to get off the ground," she said.

Eric Whitehouse, an account manager at Business Link, has worked with Victoria since last February on the business plan, including guidance on cashflow projections, website development, valuable links to trade suppliers and strategic marketing advice.

For more details on Blueberries, visit www.blueberriesonline.co.uk