A PREVIOUSLY-FAILING shop has been given a new lease of life by two businessmen.

Alan McKechnie and Graham Calvert have taken over the former Berry’s Central Londis in The Centre.

The Mercury reported last month how Steve Berry had decided to close his final shop in town, saying that North Somerset Council’s Castlewood move has exacerbated tough financial conditions in the centre of Weston.

More than 500 unitary authority employees were asked to transfer to the new Clevedon base from satellite bases in the resort last year.

But now Alan and Graham have decided to turn around the fortunes of the outlet, by leasing it and giving it a new look and a new name.

The shop will be called Centre News, but as previously it still acts as a newsagent and has an off-licence.

Alan said: “This is our first business, but who knows what the future may hold.

“I have been living in Essex for 10 years, but wanted to return to Weston.

“I used to work in retail and we were looking at having a business and thought this was ideal.

“There are no plans to do anything too drastic.”