A LEADING Ludlow craftsman is showing his confidence in the town by branching out onto the high street with a new specialised shop.

The move, by antiquarian book restorer Trevor Lloyd, will provide a boost to the struggling town centre and have links to a successful business that has defied the recession to win a raft of admirers, including the heir to the throne.

The new town centre business is expected to bring people from throughout the country into Ludlow.

After 30 years of restoring and rebinding antiquarian books, Trevor is opening The Bindery Shop in the Bull Ring, where he’s stocking a cornucopia of craft items made exclusively in the town.

There is a wide selection of hand-printed cards as well as hand-bound notebooks and albums.

Everything will reflect the quality and skill of the business featured in the BBC documentary series Town with Nicholas Crane in 2011, which was credited with attracting large numbers of visitors to Ludlow.

During his visit to Ludlow in 2012 The Prince of Wales also made a private visit to see Trevor, 55, who has been binding books all his working life.

His business in Old Street employs five people and has customers from all over the world.

“I come from Birmingham and worked in London and York before we moved to Knighton,” said Trevor.

“We have been in Ludlow since 2006 and decided to open the shop and see how it goes.

“This is a very sound business and we wanted people to have the chance to have something related to what we do.

“I think that the shop is a good fit for the type of town Ludlow is but we will see.

“Hundreds of people visit the bindery in Old Street every year and are fascinated to see what we do.

“Although most people don’t own antiquarian books to restore, they would love the opportunity to purchase something very different which reflects the history of bookbinding and manuscript styles.

“You can even have a go at making a book yourself with our specially designed kit.”

Whilst customers browse, they will also be able to see an interesting and eclectic collection of old bookbinding and printing artefacts, soon to be complemented by a working Victorian blocking press.

The Bindery will be open Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm.