A NEW shop is to open on the site of the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop which straddles Skipton High Street and Sheep Street.

The premises is currently being refurbished by new lease holder Tony Lawrence and his wife, Ruth, now living in East Morton, and will be called The Snug.

The shop will sell rugs, blinds, soft furnishings and some furniture products.

It will also be offering rugs and dog beds made from recycled plastic and as many goods as possible will be sourced locally.

It will also be dog friendly and its opening will create some jobs.

"It's very exciting," said Tony. It's a fantastic old building with lots of space in a great spot in Skipton.

"We've already done a lot of work over the past three days, clearing out old carpets and such like, but there is still a bit to do. We hope to open in mid-July.

"We are planning something special for the opening day and look forward to greeting our customers."

The quirky interior is being kept with exposed beams and low ceilings. Tony has also unearthed a fire place which had been boarded up and will keep it as a feature.