A BUSINESSWOMAN is hoping her new flower shop will blossom into a successful enterprise.

Former office manager Julia Davies, of Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham, opened Jules D Flowers and Home, in Finkle Street, Richmond, last week.

She describes the shop as a European-style boutique and says the bustling cobbled street was the ideal place for the business.

"Richmond is definitely on the up and Finkle Street has a very nice feel to it," she said.

The shop offers exotic flowers and gifts, plus a range of contemporary handmade furniture, vases and other items for the home and garden.

It is being promoted by town centre managers, who are keen to encourage new and diverse shops to come to the town.