A FAMILY-RUN store in North Yorkshire has won a major award following a £3million redevelopment inspired by stores as far afield as New York.

Barkers Home in Northallerton won the commercial building category at the North and East Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards.

Earlier this year Barkers Home on Yafforth Road underwent a major redevelopment, following significant investment by the company, which also has a department store on Northallerton High Street.

The store owners travelled as far afield as New York to find inspiration for the new-look store.

The furnishing and lifestyle store was expanded by 20,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet – almost an acre-and-a-half.

The Tree View Café within Barkers Home was also extended, while the exterior of the store was given a makeover thanks to award-winning gardener Will Quarmby.

Barkers Home director Ian Barker said: “The whole redevelopment has transformed Barkers Home into a modern, vibrant store, and to win an award for the building is the icing on the cake.

“We have also received fantastic feedback from customers, praising both the interior and exterior of the building.”

The new-look Barkers Home was designed by SP&A Architects in Stokesley and the building work was carried out by Darlington-based Wharton Construction, another family business which has worked with Barkers for the past ten years.

Barkers chairman Charles Barker added: “We visited many stores in the UK and travelled to New York looking for ideas to give the new Barkers Home a different and inspirational look.

“We wanted to create a spacious, slightly quirky environment that would make it both relaxing and fun to browse, choose home furnishings and also be a great place to work.

“We’re so pleased that it’s been such a hit with customers and staff alike and to win this highly acclaimed award makes it all the more special.”