New lease of life for historic butcher's shop (From Tewkesbury Admag)

New lease of life for historic butcher's shop

ONE of Moreton's most historic shops is to get a new lease of life after being closed for nearly three years.

Shipston furniture company Which Wood is moving to the former premises of Drury's, which opened in 1817 and traded as a butchers for 185 years.

The High Street shop closed in 2002, following the death from cancer of Paul Baggott, who had run it with his wife Josephine for nearly a quarter of a century.

Under his ownership the building was extended and the business became a delicatessen. It was particularly well-known for Mr Baggott's prize-winning home made sausages and pies.

Which Wood sells furniture, mainly made from old railway sleepers imported from South Africa. Owner Andy Green, said he would keep the wooden Drury's shop sign and incorporate the name into his company's address when reopening the premises in April.

"It's a well-known name and a bit of a landmark," he said. "Also, it's a lovely old wooden sign and we sell lovely, handmade, wooden furniture, so there's a synergy."

Mr Green, who has been based in Shipston for six years, said he wanted more visible premises.

He added that the move could bring new jobs into the area - at the moment he has one employee but he is looking to open two more stores.