A NEW village store has opened prompting hopes it will encourage young families to move to the area.

The shop and tearoom in Eppleby, between Darlington and Barnard Castle, will officially open today (Saturday, July 20) at 10am.

Owner Anthony Allum hopes the business will benefit the whole community.

“We used to have two shops and two pubs but now we just have the one pub in Eppleby.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I’d really like it to benefit the whole village.”

The last shop closed about five years ago and the new store opens in the premises of a former pub.

Mr Allum, a parish councillor and school governor, added: “We hope this time people realise what they lost when the shop closed and use it as much as they can.

“I’m not expecting to make any money but hopefully it will pay for itself. It’s a nice shop – we’ve given it a really good chance and we just need everybody to support it.

“The main purpose is to benefit the village. Hopefully it will support the school - we really need more young families in the village.

“It’s a lovely village with a big green and we need some kids.”

The shop will be run by Mr Allum’s wife, Melanie, and sister, Diane Duncombe-Shafto.

The tearoom has seats for around a dozen people, with picnic tables also positioned outside.

The owners hope it will prove popular with visiting walkers and cyclists, as well as villagers.

Eppleby district councillor Mick Griffiths said Mr Allum and his family should be commended for opening the shop.

He added: “Eppleby is a wonderful village - we have a really active community with a village hall with a post office, pub with an excellent restaurant, great primary school and now we have a fabulous shop and tea room."

The shop, which will sell groceries, newspapers, alcohol, sweets and home-made produce, will open every day of the week.

Its opening hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 7.45am to 6pm, Wednesday 7.45am to 2pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm and Sunday 10am to 2pm.