THE roots of one of the UK's most successful business tycoons were celebrated when a replica of his first shop opened to the public.

John James Fenwick, who went on to create what remains the biggest family owned department store chain in the country, started his career in his father's grocery shop in Frenchgate, Richmond.

Though now converted into a house, the building still stands, and experts at the Richmondshire Museum teamed up with the company for a two-year project to recreate the shop down to the last detail.

It was opened last week by Mr Fenwick's great-great-grandsons, James and John.

Mike Wood, chairman of Richmondshire Museum, said: "It was fascinating to be able to see what the shop would have looked like.

We are really delighted with the results."

Born in 1846, the young John James worked in the grocery shop where his family made cheap candles, known as farthing dips, to cater for the tight budgets of Richmond residents.

After his mother died in 1860, the family moved to Middlesbrough, where he was apprenticed to a draper. The story goes that he was sacked shortly afterwards, before he was told by the shop's owner that he was far too talented for the humble establishment and should set up a shop in Newcastle.

This he did, and the original Fenwick store was founded in Newcastle in 1882, with a further eight branches over the subsequent century.

Mr Wood said: "We had the idea to recreate the shop because the original building is still standing, and you can clearly see how the shop front would have looked.

"We have worked together with the Fenwick family, many of whom are still very involved with the chain, to get the details just right.

"John James Fenwick led a fascinating life, and founded a business empire that is still thriving today.

"It is wonderful to think that it all began here in Richmond."

The museum website is at communigate.co.uk/ne/richmondshiremuseum