AN INDEPENDENT family-run pet shop is to open in Winchester.

Paul Connell and his wife Lynn are to open their business at 65b on the High Street, with an opening date set for mid-September.

The couple moved to Winchester from London four months ago where Lynn ran a pet store for 16 years.

The news will be welcomed by some residents worried about the number of chains moving into vacant units in the city centre.

On Winchester High Street, Zoe Jewellers and Next have closed their doors, but at the same time Turtle Bay is due to move in at the former Toni and Guy site and TK Maxx are also set to open a new shop in The Brooks Shopping Centre.

Lynn said: "Our son went to the university here and decided to stay because it's such a nice city, and we've visited a lot over the years. Our daughter and her partner also live here.

"We are looking forward to it and hope people will be supportive. At our last shop people were very loyal and we hope to have that community feel here.

"I'm not too worried about Pets At Home as it is different to what we do."