Following the opening of their first shop, the company behind the development of Axminster's prime trading site has started work on the main body of the former department store, Trinity House.

Axminster Property's managing director Ian Styles recently officially opened the ladies' fashion shop Lou La Belle, which is being run by Louise Wall who previously traded as Labels For Less in Victoria Place for 14 years.

At the opening ceremony, Mr Styles 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.

In the conversion work on Trinity House, Axminster Property has removed two signs to reveal the old Overmass & Chapple shop signage.

In a posting on social media, the company, referring to a photo of the frontage of the building, said: "The black reverse painted glass was obviously removed leaving the gilded relief carved sign on black solid wood. Payne had a boot and shoe shop to the left.

"The blue safety gauze makes taking pictures very difficult so we've adjusted the picture to highlight the sign as well as possible."

Mr Styles also said they would be revealing "exciting news" in the coming months "with hopefully just a small office left to let which is amazing considering how difficult times are at present".

The posting was tagged #letsmakeaxminstergreatagain.

The development of the Trinity House is seen as an important step in Axminster's recovery from the coronavirus crisis as the town looks forward to the opening of public houses and cafés this coming weekend.