ONE of the region’s oldest department stores has announced plans to open a coffee shop.

Work is well under way within family-owned Strickland and Holt, in Yarm’s High Street, to create the cafe and tea room.

Reclaimed and restored timber shelving, flooring and counters are being installed to continue the appeal and character of the rest of the store, founded in 1854.

The coffee shop will open next month, and is the brainchild of husbandand- wife team Alison and Paddy Morton, who joined as joint managers at the store last July.

The family-run ethos continues – the Mortons are related by marriage to the store’s owners, Michael and Stephanie Richardson.

Mr Morton wants to create opportunities for people through setting up the coffee shop, adding: “We’re recruiting a team of homebakers to provide lots of super local produce.”