A CALLINGTON restaurant owner with a penchant for pasties was so upset when the bakery closed next door, she 'did a Victor Kiam' and bought the business.

Gail Buttery from award-winning Langman's Restaurant in Church Street is the new owner of the former 'Pasty Stop Bakery', reopening next week as 'The Pasty Shop'.

The shop closed last September after an 18-month struggle due to the economic climate. Owner Rob Langton said competition from Tesco opening on the edge of town and parking charge increases had also contributed.

But determined not to see an empty shop in Church Street and being partial to Rob's 'wonderful pasties', Gail and husband Anton stepped in to save the day.

She said:?'The shop was once part of Langman's which used to be a bakery from 1907 to 1983, so it feels natural to be all part of one business again.

'The pasties will still be Robert's pasties so the shop will be just like it was before but with a different trading name.'

Despite serving up the likes of smoked salmon risotto and saddle of lamb on a daily basis, Gail admits that you cannot beat a tasty pasty.

'It looked like the only way I was going to get a pasty was to buy the company so I did,' she said. 'I am telling everyone I did a Victor Kiam!'

American entrepreneur Victor Kiam became a household name in the 1980s with his catch-phase about the Remington Shaver: 'I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company'.

Three part-time vacancies will also be created by the shop, which will re-open its doors on Monday.

Gail, who is also chairperson of the recently formed Callington Traders' Association, said it was important town centres rose to the challenge of out-of-town supermarkets.

'If we do not offer people an alternative they will have no choice but to use the supermarkets and then towns will die. It is important we offer choice and quality and attract people to our shopping centres where the service is second to none.'

Rob Langton, who has been continuing to make pasties for supply since the shop closed, is delighted that it is opening again.

'Since Gail put the sign up to say pasties are coming back people have been cheering as they go past,' he said.