A NEW town centre hobby shop is welcoming enthusiasts old and new through its doors.

Boards Nerds in Barrow’s Cavendish Street is hoping to attract fans of board games and converts alike.

As well as selling cards, models and books, the shop will also host events, with its middle floor set aside for gaming tables.

The shop is run by Cavan Dignan and partner Rho-Ann Parker, who are hoping Barrow's community of Warhammer, Magic The Gathering and Pokemon vans will flood in.

Mr Dignan, who moved to Barrow from Cambridge, said: "I have an eSports background and I was doing Magic and Warhammer as a hobby and there was not a space in Barrow.

"The nearest shop of this kind is in Kendal and that's a bit of trek.

"There's such a large community of people who are fans of this stuff in the area, we wanted to be a place they can come to.

"These hobbies are great way for people to de-stress and have a nice time.

"We're a family-run shop and Barrow has such a lovely community of people.

"If anyone is interested they can come down for a demo game."

Thirty people have so far signed up to a gaming event due to be held at the shop.

The top floor of the shop will be home to a production studio, where the pair hope to film make videos to post online, including painting tutorials.

The shop opens on the street in place of the former Cumbria Embroidery.

Colin Garnett, the manager of Barrow Business Improvement District, a town centre trade group, welcomed the opening of the new shop.

He said: “Where we have seen a number of national chain stores close, there has been a number of new independent stores open or expand during the past few months.

“This goes to show that town centre retail isn’t dead and some businesses are thriving.

“We welcome the Board Nerds to the town and wish them a success.”