THE grand-daughter of a much-loved trader who led a Dales business dynasty has been inspired by her grandmother to open her own grocery shop.

Greengrocer Joan Rutherford, 78, who ran and lived at her shop, Woodhall's Greengrocers on Front Street, Stanhope, for more than six decades, died recently.

She started the family businesses by borrowing £7 from her father when she was 16.

Now, granddaughter Michelle Pickering, 26, who has been trading from her van and gazebo in Wolsingham for three years, has opened her first shop in the town's Front Street.

Also called Woodhall's as a tribute to her grandmother, Ms Pickering said: “I worked with my nana from the age of 16 to 23 in her Stanhope shop. But, because my mam worked there when I was little, I spent a lot of my childhood in the back of the shop when she was at work.

“I remember nipping into the shop with my sister Stephanie, in and out of the queue to the sweeties, getting a handful and then negotiating our way back to watch Saturday morning TV in the back of the shop.

“My shop is also called Woodhall's. My nana was meant to be opening if for me, but my granddad did it in her place. It is part of her legacy. She loved the local community, which is why I want to stay in Wolsingham, she taught me everything about the business.

“I could run her Stanhope shop now, but I have been here three years, made lots of friends and built up relationships with the customers. I don't want to let them down.”

Mrs Rutherford's daughter, Michelle's mother, Diane Wright, runs a bakery, tearoom and clothes shop, and granddaughter Stephanie opened a traditional sweet shop in 2010. All these businesses are in Stanhope.

In 2011 Mrs Rutherford and her husband Gordon, 83, attended a Buckingham Palace garden party in recognition of her long career.

The new Woodhall's greengrocers in Wolsingham will be open from 9am until 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am until 1pm on Wednesday and Saturday and closed Sunday.

Woodhall's greengrocers in Stanhope remains open as usual.

Ms Pickering added: “Nothing will change. I will still do home deliveries, but I do hope to stock more plants and flowers now that we have more room.

“Photos of my nana will hang in the shop and I will relay her story to anyone who asks. My nana isn't here now but I know she would be watching over me with pride.''