A ONCE-derelICt shop has been transformed to become a major community asset for a North Yorkshire market town.

The former hardware store in Bedale has been given a new lease of life as a one-stop shop providing learning and skills to local people and businesses.

The grade II-listed building, in the Market Place, had been empty for many years since the hardware business moved and had fallen into disrepair.

The £550,000 redevelopment project was led by Hambleton District Council and the property has been let to Business Support and Development Ltd.

Councillor Tony Hall, cabinet member for prosperity, said: "By moving from their cramped offices in Bridge Street into the centre of Bedale, Business Support now has a major high street presence.

"This scheme has also seen the district council able to renovate a run down historic building - an important part of regenerating our market towns."

He added: "We hope others will follow our lead and look to restore more of our town centre buildings for business use."

Business Support and Development has been operating in Hambleton for 20 years. In addition to providing business and employment support services, it also operates as a Learn Direct facility.

Its new home means it can work in partnership with a range of organisations including Askham Bryan College, Connexions, and Community Education - with the emphasis not only on business support, training for work and skills-based activities, but also on education and non-vocational learning.

Work on transforming the building began last October and was completed by July. Funding for the project came from Hambleton council and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. Building preservation and project management help coming from the North of England Civic Trust.