A NEW shop on Parkstone’s Ashley Road is offering 150 different loose leaf teas and more than 25 varieties of coffee beans.

The official opening of It’s Tea Ltd was carried out by Jane Pettigrew, tea specialist, historian and writer.

The business was started by Don Collier and Aleksandra Rabinek, who were both recently taught by Jane Pettigrew at one of her masterclass events.

The shop was described by one of its first customers as “the most lovely shop I have ever been in”, they said.

Mr Collier said: “Retailing and the high street are going through tough times at the moment. However, we believe that a quality boutique shop such as ours will bring business to the area and help regenerate high streets.

“I have always loved tea and coffee, and latterly more tea than coffee, but it has been so hard to find good quality supplies. Alex and I were determined to change this. Loose leaf tea has all but disappeared from the high street and, although coffee is easier to find, it is all in the style of the large coffee houses. I’m really pleased to have been able to work with Alex to bring this back.

Aleksandra Rabinek said: “I believe that quality tea and coffee should be available to everyone. In other European countries there are a lot of shops that sell quality loose leaf tea and coffee in every town and I would like the people of the UK to have this opportunity.”