FLAX & Twine started life as a dream over a glass of wine among two local authority office workers.

Now the homewares, gifts, haberdashery and vintage shop and cafe has enjoyed two years trade and is entering the Press Business Awards as a contender for Retailer of the Year and Small Business of the Year.

With an initial investment of £50,000 Maureen Scott and Katie Pask secured a lease on premises in The Shambles before purchasing all of the cafe equipment and stock for the shop.

Ms Scott said: "Even before we opened our door to our customers we knew our aim was to make every customer feel special and valued.

"We did our research by visiting other establishments and it became clear in a very short space of time that most places lack basic customer service even the simplest warm friendly greeting was missing.

"Because of our location 50 per cent of our customers are tourists and we feel it is part of our role as York business ambassadors to provide tourists with information on the museums not to be missed and the best places to visit.

"We love finding out where people have travelled from and their plans whilst in York."

Flax & Twine has retail, homeware gift and vintage on the ground floor and a cafe on the first floor.

The business also runs various craft workshops from sewing to paper and wire crafts as well as a weekly Italian.

Ms Scott said: "The business itself has not been the only thing that has grown, we ourselves have grown and developed and continue to do so, owning a business was and still is a very steep learning curve for us.

"Being an employer has had its challenges, we now have 7 members of staff working a variety of shifts.

"We pride ourselves in training and developing staff in order to provide excellent customer service. A good business is knowing what your customers want and delivering it."

Spotting room for growth outside of its premises, the pair recently refurbished a 1969 caravan called Nancy for use for outside catering, weddings and charity events.

Flax & Twine also has an online shop, and offers a range of local products from original Art work by York artists to deli ranges from local suppliers, supporting its mission statement of supporting and sourcing local business whenever possible.

Ms Scott concluded: "We are both very proud of what we have achieved and could not have done it without the love and support of our families and although we have come a long way there are always opportunities for businesses to grow you just have to look for them."