A NEW independent gift store has launched in central Barrow which showcases a variety of quality designer giftware and homeware.

A successful Lancaster-based shop called Expressions has opened on Dalton Road, exhibiting a vast selection of goods including silver jewellery, bags, ornaments, frames and more.

Co-managers Stephanie Whiteway and Linda Thomas, who is originally from Millom, decided to bring their designer brand to Barrow following the success of their Lancaster store.

Ms Whiteway hopes the new shopping venture will provide a ‘boost to the community.’

She said: “We already knew the shop worked really well in Lancaster so wanted to move it to another location.

“Our friend Angela was closing her gift store Murrays too so we decided to get her involved.

“We didn’t want to see another gift store closed in Barrow, it’s such a loss for the community.”

Ms Whiteway said the response from the community had been ‘fabulous’.

She said: “We’ve had an amazing response from the community.

“It’s been so positive and the opening day was such a fabulous atmosphere.

“There’s a lot of support across the town to keep independent shops open, it’s been a really amazing response.”

The Expressions bosses also revealed their plans to attach a piercing studio onto the store within the next month.

Expressions is based at 200 Dalton Road, opposite M&S, next to Coco Hair and Beauty Salon.