A store in a Tyne Valley town has been continuing to serve customers despite the challenges faced during the coronavirus pandemic.

The i-Save and Toy & Gift shops are both based at the same premises in Haltwhistle and ran by brothers Phil and Andrew Cogan, with the aim of offering customers a wide range of products and food items.

Downstairs sees the the business be home to a toy and gift shop, with a wide range of products available to customers both young and old.

“The shop opened five years ago with originally just opening once a week on a Thursday and selling a small amount of toys,” said Phil from the business.

“Now five years later, it is one of the best stocked independent Toy Shops in the area.

“The Toy & Gift Shop sells a wide range of toys and gifts for all ages, from pocket money toys to high end collectible bears.”

Customers visiting the store could also be treated to a unique performance from Phil as he went on to explain.

“Visitors can also be entertained by (an) in house resident magician (me) with a close up card magic show,” he added.

In recent years, the store has also become something of a favourite place to visit amongst families during the winter months and in the build up to Christmas due to the scenes that appear in the shop windows.

“Make sure to visit the store at Christmas time when it transformers into a winter wonderland,” added Phil.

“Everything from artificial snow covering the entire shop to their window displays - (they) have to be seen to be believed.”

Upstairs and away from the fun and games of the toy and gift shop, the business is also home to a discount food and essentials store featuring a wide range of brands and products.

“On the main floor of the shop i-Save provides the shopper all of the day to day items at huge discounted rates,” said Phil.

“Everything from food, cleaning, stationary, gift cards all at a affordable rate.”

Over the last year, the business, as like with others around the region, has had to change how they operate to keep in line with Covid-19 regulations and as a result decided to start offering a delivery service to customers around the local area.

“During the first lockdown in 2020, the shop closed its doors to the public and offered a delivery service throughout the Tye Valley,” added Phil

“(As they say,) the phone lines would never stop ringing”

“Like every other shop we have had to adapt our shop to the new Covid rules and regulations.

“Our shoppers have said that they feel safe shopping in our shop due to we only allow a small amount of people in our shop at one time.

The store is open from 9am-4pm every day between Monday and Friday, with the shop being open from 9am until 1pm every Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.