TWO young businesswomen are hoping to reel the customers in with their new venture.

Vanessa Champken and Tracy Philpott have set up a new hairdressing salon in The Shambles Market Hall - in the same unit that housed the famous fishmongers for half a century.

It was Miss Champken's grandfather, Edgar Thompson, who ran the fish shop for all those years, and now the 22-year-old is hoping to replicate his reputation for happy, satisfied customers.

"We're really excited about the new venture," said Miss Champken, whose uncle, Terry Thompson, is a part-owner in the Market Hall.

Surprise

"The whole thing happened really quickly. My Uncle Terry phoned my mum out of the blue and asked if I wanted the shop - it was quite a surprise. Tracy and I had talked about opening our own salon but we thought it would be years away."

Miss Champken and Miss Philpott, aged 36, met while they were both working at Jon Quality Hairdressing, in Worcester's High Street.

The shop, which has been vacant since the fishmongers closed in 1998, has been refurbished in red and cream and the girls wear red and black outfits at the new salon, called Nessarc Hair Design.

The Market Hall traces its history back to 1804, when it was a traditional market hall, but the original building was demolished in 1849 to make way for the present structure, which for many years was a butcher's market place.

In 1987 the "tired and shabby" market hall was restored at a cost of £350,000, creating 24 shop units with a "gracious Victorian atmosphere" thanks to the extensive use of period windows and wrought iron features, including a sweeping wrought iron staircase.

The Market Hall went on to build a reputation for fresh produce, including cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread and fish.

When Edgar Thompson died, aged 84, in February 1999, the streets of St John's came to a standstill as his coffin was carried on a horse-drawn cart to St John's church for his funeral.

"We are only small at the moment, but there is the potential to grow," said Miss Champken.

"It's very strange to think my grandad stood in exactly the same place for all those years, selling fish. I really hope we can copy his success - I know he would be proud."