A NEW shop in Wormelow has opened its doors, more than three years since the last one closed.

Mark Burch, from Haverfordwest, is at the helm of the new shop called Carrot and Wine Stores.

The emphasis is on selling local produce and there is also a deli counter and homemade meals available to buy.

Gordon Miller, business consultant, will be running the store.

The two met a few years ago and they have been looking for a retail unit to open a village shop.

Mark, 42, said: "I have got two other businesses- a rental property business and a cafe. I used to have a wealth management company and Gordon was a client for me.

"I had a brain injury about five years ago and sold the wealth management business. We talked about opening a village store which would sell local produce and fresh fruit and vegetables, go back to the 40s and 50s and have a shop where you can get everything you could possibly need from a local shop."

Five years ago when he was on a short training run for a triathlon, he slipped and banged his head, which led to to brain haemorrhage. He has weakness down his left hand side and due to the stressful nature of the wealth management business, he sold it.

Mark said: "I said to Gordon, now the business is sold, I have got to do something. What about this?"

Gordon spotted the Wormelow unit was available and told Mark.

Gordon, who lives in Redbrook, said: "We want to become a destination hub for local produce."

The plan is to open around five to seven shops in the county under the same name. Mark and his family want to relocate to the county.

They are currently in the process of applying to have a Post Office branch in situ and a licence is pending to sell alcohol. Wine will be on sale in self service machines through refillable bottles, and the selection will change regularly.

Wormelow Stores closed suddenly in May 2014.

Roger Sweetman, who runs Sweetman Developments, bought the site and received planning permission to knock down the empty shop and build a new one, along with two houses and a flat.

Mr Sweetman has also built two two-bed bungalows at the back of the site.

The Mayor of Hereford will officially open the shop at 11am this Sunday.