ULVERSTON is set to get a new corner shop courtesy of a pair of budding retail entrepreneurs.

Kevin and Carol Lackey are opening a grocers, off licence and newsagents under the Mace banner of nationwide corner shops in the former Dandys furniture store on Hart Street.

The shop will be the second one for the Swarthmoor couple, who took on Urswick Road Stores in 2003 and boosted its fortunes by doubling the stock on the shelves and bringing in fresh local pies and sandwiches from the nearby Baycliff Farm Shop.

It was their first independent business venture after Mr Lackey became one of hundreds to take voluntary redundancy as part of mass lay-offs at GlaxoSmithKline in Ulverston.

Mrs Lackey also left her job in marketing and purchasing at Colony Candles in Lindal-in-Furness.

"I don't know when the shop expansion will stop," said Mr Lackey. "We really, really enjoy it and seem to have a flair for it. It seems to work for us because we work so well as a team.

"Retailing seems to be coming full circle with Tesco opening its smaller town centre stores.

People love the convenience of a local shop."

The couple will be fitting-out their new shop from January 17 and plan to open for business at the beginning of February. They are hoping their venture will prove a hit with families due to move into the estate to be built on the former Ulverston Victoria High School site.