A Scottish uniform supplier, which has just opened its first store across the border in north Cumbria, aims to help bring back a feel-good factor to the high street.

Border Embroidery (BE) Uniforms officially opened their new West Tower Street store in Carlisle on June 14.

The uniform supplier, which is based in Greenlaw, has nine stores in Scotland, and chose Carlisle to open its very first store across the border in England.

“[It is] huge,” said BE Uniforms managing director, William Smillie.

“We’ve been contemplating it for a while, but there has been a lot of uncertainty at the moment with the coronavirus pandemic, and you’re never sure how it’s going to go with high streets.

“We decided that Carlisle really needs it. There’s a lot of people in Carlisle and there’s a big opportunity.

“It’s the perfect location.”

The business supplies in three main areas - Work wear, school wear, and team wear.

William hopes BE Uniforms can bring some light back to Carlisle’s high street after the departure of numerous shops, including Debenhams, H&M, and Iceland Foods.

He added: “The more shops that are filled, the better.

“Everybody benefits from having other shops around them and I think us being here will draw people in that wouldn’t have been coming into the town.

“They will have to buy their school clothing, and maybe they will come to us and then they’ll be nipping in somewhere else for their lunch.

“Everybody gains from having us around.

“It’s a nice little boost [for people to see a new shop opening on the high street].”