The first new outlet in Trinity House, Axminster, opened its doors this morning.

Shoppers were keen to take a look around women's boutique Lou La Belle, opened by Louise Wall, who previously ran Labels For Less in Victoria Place for 14 years.

The rebranded store offers the same range of discount price high street clothing and Italian labels, as well as a new collection of homeware and unique gifts.

Louise said it had been challenging to open a new store during the coronavirus pandemic, but she had been keen to move to a high street premises and Axminster Property, owners of Trinity House, had been "hugely supportive" in getting the shop ready for opening.

Lou La Belle is the first outlet to open in Trinity House, the former town centre department store which has now been split into eight separate units having been bought by Axminster Property in January.

Managing director Ian Styles officially opened Lou La Belle this morning and welcomed shoppers.

He said it was a difficult time to be opening a new business but he believed Axminster had a "bright future" and if the community and local businesses worked together they could overcome the current challenges.

Mr Styles added that almost all the units at Trinity House had now been let, and the property company would continue working on its refurbishment until next March.