A quirky new shop has taken over an iconic Lyme Regis venue.

After the old Regent Cinema was destroyed by a major fire in 2016, there were concerns about its future – then Dorset vodka company Black Cow opened a bar inside – but only as a pop up.

But new life has now been breathed into the building with firm The Urban Fox taking over the venue on a more permanent basis.

The business, owned by husband-and-wife duo Colin and Sarah Williams, both 47, is a sister store to ‘The Foxy Cottage’ at Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor.

Urban FoxUrban Fox (Image: Colin Williams)

Mr Williams describes The Urban Fox as ‘a bit of everything,’ selling gifts, fashion and lifestyle items.

He added: “We have always wanted to have a shop in Lyme Regis, so when the cinema came up, we jumped at the chance.”

The official opening day is set for Friday, November 22, at 10am as the pair wanted to open ahead of the big Lyme Regis Christmas light switch-on.

Despite expanding their business, it was never the pair's intention to head down this career path, in fact, they ended up ‘falling into it.’

The married couple also own Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor and rent out the units to other traders.

Mr Williams said: “It all started when Redlands Yard came up for sale which was when we were living out of the area, but my wife is from Dorset, and we were looking to move back. We opened in 2017.

“Sarah used to work at Redlands Yard when she was younger.”

At present, there are no immediate plans to get any new staff members on board as the duo are still in the early stages, but they are hoping that the opportunity may arise in the future.

The pair have completed a lot of renovations, with Mr Williams adding: “It doesn’t look anything like it did before.”

He explained that ‘there’s something different for everyone’ at the store, and that it is targeted at both locals and tourists alike.

Beaminster-based Black Cow left the premises earlier this year – and at present have no plans of opening another pop-up saloon in the area – but they are currently touring round local Christmas markets.