A FAMILIAR name has returned to the Alston high street – but while the name has stayed the same, the products on offer have totally changed.

The Old Parlour, on Station Road in the town, was first opened around 13 years ago by Iris Down, on the ground floor of her house.

Iris said: “I have always had an interest in old stuff. I find it rewarding to acquire something that I know nothing about and learn about it through research.

“The natural progression was to open a little shop in the ground floor of our house.

“We traded for around seven years, but the fun disappeared along with customers.”

Iris closed the original Old Parlour five years ago, and moved her business online, but recently found herself missing the shop.

Instead of turning back to antiques, Iris decided to use her skills as a qualified seamstress, and opened her new shop offering high quality, hand-made clothes and accessories, producing everything from handbags and jackets to cushions and aprons.

Iris has been sewing all her life. She was taught by her mother and made everything by hand until they accquired a cast iron hand crank machine.

Today, things are a little bit more high tech, with Iris using a computerised machine that can sew over 200 different stitches.

Iris added: “At the moment, I’ve got my shop stocked and I’m building up enough stock so that I can sell elsewhere. I have various other outlets where I can sell my goods, for example a lot of cafes now have gift shops.”