HOPES are being pinned on the re-launch of a small community shop to herald a fresh start for an estate which has been troubled by problems.

Members of Muncaster Residents' Association have raised concerns about the tension between a number of locals and the owner of Monkton Road Stores at their two recent meetings.

Such issues were highlighted by The Press when Lorraine Robinson, a 47-year-old nurse, hit out after being refused her morning paper when she would not remove her hooded lambs- wool cardigan.

She felt "insulted" for being tarred with the same brush as yobs.

But a shop spokesman said the store had experienced wide-ranging problems including theft, vandalism and racist attacks from people of all ages. And the "no hoodie" rule was clearly displayed and applied to everyone so troublemakers could be identified on CCTV if necessary.

Marianne Sutherland chairs the association which represents the Barfield Road, Monkton Road and Elmfield Avenue area. She said problems between residents and the shop had been discussed at the past two meetings, the latest of which was "amicable" with people feeling optimistic about developments.

"The future is very positive because the owner is opening a bigger shop. There have been problems in the past, but we are all very positive about the outcome and how things are moving forward.

"The best way to deal with these things is to talk," she stressed.

Owner Claude Wray was also hopeful the launch of his bigger, more modern shop in December would ease tensions.

"I own next door and we are knocking one shop into the other and also knocking backwards so it will be five times bigger," he said.

He has joined Premier - one of the country's largest buying groups - and the new store will be very different to the current, traditional, cramped style, which features a high serving counter with many products out of customers' reach.

Instead, the revamped shop will be more akin to a self-service mini-market with a broader range of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables, magazines and stationery.

Other new additions will include an on-site digital photo processing machine and photocopier along with two checkouts, potentially creating two jobs.

"So no one will have to wait long," said Mr Wray. "That was raised at the residents' meeting. Some people feel they are not being served quickly enough."

He added: "It is a big change. I feel this business has to move on. Despite what you see - with the boarded-up windows - there is a lot of positive work going on in the background. It has taken a long time to get through the planning process and arrange the different contractors."