Shop returns to high street after 18 years

The new Hockridge shop will be on Tavistock's Brook Street, on the site of the former Towls shop.

An electrical shop will return to a high street after 18 years.

Hockridge Appliance Centre operated in Tavistock for 12 years, before closing the branch for commercial reasons in the 2000s.

Now the company, which has a store in Launceston, is returning to the town with a new shop in Brook Street on the site of the Towls electrical appliance store, which is closing after 53 years.

Owner Karl Hockridge said he was "delighted" to bring the family firm back to Tavistock and he would be taking on all the existing staff from Towls.

Towls said on its Facebook page it was "thrilled" to "pass the torch" to the new owners.

Hockridge Appliance Centre has a store in nearby Launceston

Mayor of Tavistock Steve Hipsey said there was "a feel good spirit" in the town at the moment.

"This optimism is proving a powerful draw for visitors and traders alike," he said.