COMPANY boss Nick Shutts is delighted to be back in Wells with a shop in the same location that he had one once before.

Grape Tree is taking over what was at one time Julian Graves, and was most recently Jones the Bootmaker, at 4 High Street.

The Grape Tree health food brand has been launched by entrepreneur Nick and partner Nigel Morris, who together built the Julian Graves health food brand of 350 stores.

Nick said: "It's great to be back in Wells in the same spot that we traded as Julian Graves where we had many loyal customers."

Work to get the new shop ready follows soon after the opening of the Seasalt women's clothing store in what was the Intersport Tony Pryce shop.

The shop is currently being fitted out and is expected to open soon, adding to Grape Tree's portfolio of almost 100 stores across the UK.

The shops sell a variety of health foods, nuts, seeds, dried and crystallised fruit, snacks, confectionery, cooking and baking ingredients.

The Seasalt clothes and accessories shop was opened in June by first customer in the queue Siobhan Goodwin.

Siobhan, who works part-time at The Bishop's Palace and runs her own business, Wells Walking Tours, was asked to cut the ribbon after waiting outside for nearly two hours.She was also given a voucher for £100 to spend in the shop, the Cornish brand's 53rd.

"When I woke up at 6.50 on the Saturday morning I thought I would give it a go," she said.

"I brought my book and my deckchair and had a great time chatting to lots of lovely folk who were out and about bright and early on Saturday morning. The staff started arriving at 8am and kindly brought me a very welcome cup of tea. That's the first time I have ever cut a ribbon.

"I have been in to try some things on and have decided to buy a lovely dress with sailing boats on it.

"Seasalt will be a popular addition to our High Street.

"I like the way the shop was fitted out, especially the beautiful mosaic in the doorway, and the staff are really helpful and friendly."

Others in the queue were given a Seasalt goody bag, there were free scones with jam and Cornish clotted cream, Cornish fudge and apple juice, and shanty singers The Longest Johns sang traditional folk songs and sea shanties outside the store.

Seasalt co-founder and chairman Neil Chadwick said before the opening: "We are looking forward to opening our third shop in Somerset.

"It's such a beautiful county and the people are so friendly and welcoming."