BUILDING on the success of their other two outlets, a couple have brought their gift shop celebrating all things North-East to the Tyne Valley.

Two years after opening their first For the Love of the North shop in Whitley Bay, Paul and Lucy Hull have set up shop in the centre of Corbridge.

It followed the opening of the couple’s pop-up store within Stack in Newcastle last year.

The shop sells a range of cards, prints and gifts all sourced from North-East artists and has proved a hit throughout the region.

Paul, who last year was nominated as one of 10 finalists in the Tourism Superstar awards run by VisitBritain, has a wide knowledge of the North-East which helps him stock desirable items.

He said: “I’ve always known we have such amazing, independent artists and craftspeople here in our region that often go unnoticed and we are delighted to be able to provide them with a retail platform in the heart of Corbridge.”

The Corbridge shop features a gallery wall which will provide a platform for North-East artists to exhibit their work.

The latest exhibition showcasing the work of Newcastle-based visual artist Yvette Ja Hawkins, of South Korean British heritage who was well-known across the globe for her origami maps, opened on Monday.

Lucy said: “Paul and I are hugely passionate about the North-East and having a physical presence in the countryside alongside the city and at the coast opens up so many new avenues for us and the creatives, such as Yvette whom we support.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring products which have been so lovingly created into Corbridge.

“We have received such a wonderfully warm welcome from both the residents and the local businesses in Corbridge since opening and we are very much looking forward to being part of the wider community.

“It is a very exciting time for For the Love of the North.”