A NEW lease of life is being breathed into the former Doll Museum in Fordingbridge.

Now called The Dolls House, the Bridge Street premises has undergone a transformation and is due to open its doors on Thursday, March 1.

The business, which will display and sell local artisan creations including paintings, furniture, mirrors, woodcraft, lighting and more, has been started by Pippa Latimer- Harris.

She said: ”I’m really looking forward to opening in the lovely town that is Fordingbridge.”

But Pippa says she never intended to start the business and came to the shop with her brother who was interested in looking at the flat above. It was then that she saw the potential and asked if the shop was available.

“It was not planned at all,”she said. “Before I knew it I was here with a paint brush.”

It has only been three weeks from Pippa’s initial decision to start the business and revamp the former Doll museum, which has been closed for a number of years.

Pippa,who appeared on Come Dine with Me last year, added: “It had been empty and sad for so long and I want people to walk in and say wow.

“I see The Dolls House as a gallery shop for local people and visitors alike.

“It is obviously a risk to start new businesses but my philosophy is that anything is possible.”

Pippa is keen to hear from local artisans in the area who can get in touch via The Dolls House Facebook page.