A BRIDAL shop has reaffirmed its commitment to Bishop Auckland with a £20,000 investment.

Aphrodite re-opened just over a week ago after work was completed on a new shopfront.

Glenda Pedelty, who owns the Newgate Street shop, said the refurbishment was just the start as she looks to expand her business further.

She said: "Bishop Auckland is a good place to be. It used to have a good reputation for its specialist and tailored shops, and I would like to see that come back. People travel from all over the North-East to come to the shop, and we have even had brides from London.

"I wanted to do something to make the shop look more open and make the most of the bridal displays."

She was given a helping hand through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, which is a partnership between Wear Valley District Council, Durham County Council, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant totalled £10,000.

The shop has had a new front, including the upstairs, which acts as a private changing room. It has also been replastered and had a new floor and archway installed.

Ms Pedelty said: "There is a definite market for prom dresses and outfits for the mother of the bride in Bishop Auckland. People had started to go out of town for that sort of thing but this is changing.''

Aphrodite has been trading in the town for three years, and Ms Pedelty believes it will be in Bishop Auckland for many years to come.

She said: "Eventually I want to expand so that this becomes a one-stop shop, where you can get everything you need for a wedding under one roof, and I believe my future is in Bishop Auckland.''