Mr Wolf in Hexham opens new premises in town centre

Husband and wife team Lindsey and Austin Birney have opened a new premises to expand their popular Mr Wolf Children's Toy store and are now located on 9 Market Street.

"We loved our old buidling but it was small and we had the opportunity to make the business bigger," Lindsey said.

"When we were looking at potential premises around Hexham to expand we saw this building which used to be the Indian restaurant 'Silver Palace'.

"We knew it was the place for us and within 24 hours we put an offer in for it.

"We have had such a great response when we opened our doors last week and we have great plans for the building - which will take some time to get round to it since we will be busy."

Although the owners have big plans for their new building they are not letting go of their past.

Lindsey said:"We have still kept our old building as we could not let that go but we have great plans for that as well.

"Our daughter Daisy wanted something for teenagers and came up with the idea of a shop selling American Vintage clothing from American vintage shops.

"We jumped on board with this idea as we agreed that Hexham needed somewhere local for teenagers instead of ging to Hexham.

"The name of the store will be 'Strangers Things' which we are looking for a manager for currently.

"We came up the name of 'Mr Wolf' as all generations have a special memory of the name - whether it be a game or a story.

"We wanted the shop to be welcoming, cosy and to give children, parents and grandparents a choice of pressents.

"But also kids to be able to buy things themsleves with pocket money."

Mayor Derek Kennedy, who officially opened the shop, said: “I am pleased the popular Mr Wolf has expanded its operation in a new premise on Market Street. It is such a unique magical shop and has a feel of Harry Potter about it.”