THE next generation of a department store dynasty has taken part in a symbolic turf-cutting ceremony, signalling the start of a £3m expansion of the family-owned store.

William Barker, 11, sister Hannah, 10, and seven-year-old brother Thomas donned hard hats and spades to get building work underway on the extension of Barkers Furnishing Store in Yafforth Road, Northallerton, where their dad Ian is store director.

The size of the store will expand by 20,000 square feet to create a new section for contemporary furniture, homeware and accessories.

Work will also start this spring on a £500,000 revamp of the womenswear department and restaurant at its flagship High Street department store.

Barkers has been a prominent name on the Northallerton high street since 1882 when 14-year-old William Barker started his retail apprenticeship in a small shop, which eventually grew into Barkers department store.

Barkers managing director, Charles Barker, whose son Guy and niece Sally Chapman also work in the family business said: “We are a family business which has been part of Northallerton for a long time and we plan to be around for many years into the future.

“New generations are keen to carry on so we thought it would be a great idea to invite my nephew Ian’s three young children to cut the turf for the new furnishing store development.”

Mr Barker said they had been worked towards the new development for eight years. The work was due to go ahead in 2008 but was put on hold due to the banking crisis.

The work will be carried out by Wharton Construction, another family business, which has worked with Barkers for the past ten years.