A FAMILY card and gift business is taking over a prime spot in a city centre.

Millers Greetings Cards is to be a new name above the door at the former Next fashion store in Silver Street, Durham, after taking out a nine-year lease.

The shop, opposite the Durham branch of Marks and Spencer, has remained vacant since Next transferred to larger premises in the two-year-old Prince Bishops Centre.

Company partners Janice and husband Steve Miller have other outlets in Keighley and Bradford, both West Yorkshire, at the Green Market and Monument Mall in Newcastle, and at Gateshead Indoor Market.

She said: "This is bigger than anything else we've got. When we saw it we just thought it was just right.

"We couldn't believe it has stood there unoccupied for so long."

Work is under way fitting out the shop in time for the pre-Christmas trade, and Janice estimates it should be up and running within three weeks.

Durham City Centre manager Barry Turnbull said it was high time the "prime" site was filled.

"I'm absolutely delighted at seeing such a site being taken up, particularly as it's a unique local company," added Mr Turnbull.