An independent womens-wear clothes shop has expanded from its Harrogate base and opened up its second store on one of Yorkshire best-known high streets – and next door to the county’s most famous tearoom.

Morgan Clare opened its doors on The Grove, next to Bettys, to the public last Wednesday, bringing five new jobs to the town.

The shop first opened in Harrogate in 1997 and over the years has gained a loyal following.

Director Elaine Wilkinson said they were looking to expand and when the Ilkley site came up they had to take it.

She said: “Morgan Clare is well known for its range of luxury brands and importantly, its welcoming store and customer focussed team.

“It was important to find the right environment to continue this ethos and when the site on The Grove became available, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“Ilkley is a beautiful town with a similar vibe to Harrogate and it seemed the perfect place for our next stage.

“The feedback at our opening has been so positive and we’re really looking forward to becoming established here.”

She added: “Among the designers we stock are J Brand jeans to statement dresses from Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou through to classic tailoring from Stella McCartney, plus shoes and bags from Alexander McQueen, Lanvin and Alexander Wang.”