A new independent bookshop and café is opening in Darlington Market after its owner decided it was time to turn a long-held ambition into reality.
Kevin Robinson, who moved to Darlington nine years ago, is preparing to launch Chapter & Filter at West Row in the market.
Visitors can browse the shop from this weekend, but Kevin hopes to hold an official launch at the end of October.
After nine years as a civil servant, Kevin said the venture fulfils a dream he has held for years.
The 38-year-old said: "I've always wanted my own coffee shop.
"I've worked in coffee shops and used to be a barista trainer when I lived in Manchester about 10 years ago, so I know my way around a good coffee machine.
"I'm being quite particular about the coffee because I want to do it right."
Kevin’s love of speciality coffee and books led him to bring the two together under one roof.
"I've always been a big reader as well and I've always liked the idea of having a bookshop," he said.
"I just thought, you know what, I'm at an age where if I leave it much longer, then I might feel like it's too late. I basically figured out I can do both at the same time.
"I feel like it's a very natural pairing. It's something that goes together very well."
Kevin got the idea after spotting a Darlington Market post advertising vacant units.
Read more
How Darlington butcher Taylor's has survived a century of high street change
Pride in Place funding to bring £750,000 boost for dropped kerbs in Darlington
Long-serving Darlington councillor resigns from Conservatives to 'speak up freely'
"I had a couple of weeks off work and was thinking about it, then I saw a post the market had put up saying there was space available," he said.
"I took it as a sign."
Kevin also wants to champion independent authors through the business.
"It's independent supporting independent," he said.