A NEW tea shop has opened in Ramsbottom town centre.

Tea Atelier opened in Bridge Street on the site of the former television repairs shop last week.

The shop’s owners, husband and wife Shiyin Gu and Michelle Wang, say the shop will specialise in loose leaf tea.

It is the first venture of this kind for Mr Gu, a former architecture photographer, who lives in Middleton.

He said: “We used to come to Ramsbottom for walks so when it came up we thought it was perfect. It ticks all the boxes for us.

“The general response at first was ‘not another tea shop’ but what makes us different is we looked around all the other shops in Ramsbottom and none of them serve loose leaf tea, which is something we really enjoy.”

As well as loose leaf tea by the gram, a range of artisan breads, olives and cakes are available to customers. The range of products also includes organic and vegan products, as well as Tregothnan, the first and only tea grown in England.

But, with Grind & Tamp, Drinc, Baileys Tea Shop, and others, all fairly established in the town, is there room for another tea shop? Mr Gu thinks so.

He said: “We have been quite steady so far. It’s getting busier every day as more people find out about us.”

The shop is open from 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday.