A new homeware and lifestyle store inspired by a trip to Japan has opened in the city.

The Shopkeeper has started serving customers from its new home in Upper St Giles Street.

The shop started life in Great Dunmow in Essex in 2016 but has opened in Norwich after the owners moved to the city.

Ian Johnstone is 'The Shopkeeper' at the storeIan Johnstone is 'The Shopkeeper' at the store (Image: Denise Bradley) Ian Johnstone, who owns the store, said: "It has been inspiring opening a new store. The local community and other businesses in the street have been very welcoming. 

"The shop has been really busy since we opened. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has visited so far and look forward to meeting lots more new customers."

The shop sells a range of clothing, homeware and stationery that Mr Johnstone has sourced from around the UK and the world.

He has worked as a buyer for fashion brands Paul Smith and Diesel previously but decided to have a go at shopkeeping after a holiday to East Asia.

The shop sells a range of clothing, stationery and homewareThe shop sells a range of clothing, stationery and homeware (Image: Denise Bradley) He explained: "The original idea was conceived after an inspirational trip to Japan.

"Everything is so well curated there that I wanted to apply this concept to my store.

"I looked at some of my favourite products (a French chore jacket, a Japanese brass pen, a classic pen-knife, a US backpack, and stoneware pottery), items that weren’t available here in the UK at the time, and approached the companies directly."

The concept of the store was inspired by a trip to JapanThe concept of the store was inspired by a trip to Japan (Image: Denise Bradley) Mr Johnstone was excited to add the store to the range of independent shops in the Lanes after moving to Norwich for family reasons.

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He said: "I have always appreciated the city’s long-standing independent retail and felt that opening a store here would complement the current well-established businesses.

"The city has a vibrant mix of creative and like-minded people, which I was really attracted to."

The Shopkeeper Store is open between 10am and 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and between 11am and 4pm on Sundays.