A new toys and games shop has expanded from an online business to open its doors in a coastal town.

Alexandru Hariga and wife Adelina have run ALPYN Toys and Games as an online business for around four years.

Lowestoft Journal: Alexandru Hariga and wife Adelina, owners of ALPYN Toys and Games. Picture: The Hariga familyAlexandru Hariga and wife Adelina, owners of ALPYN Toys and Games. Picture: The Hariga family (Image: The Hariga family)

But for the owners of the independent family-run business, the lure of the beach and seaside was a major attraction in moving to Lowestoft.

The couple - who hail from Romania - moved from Hatfield in Hertfordshire to Carlton Colville in Lowestoft with their three children last year.

Lowestoft Journal: ALPYN Toys and Games has opened in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick HowesALPYN Toys and Games has opened in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Having scoured the commercial property market for the right area to expand their thriving online business and open a first shop, they settled on Lowestoft town centre.

And now they are calling on locals to "come and discover our soft toys and games for all ages" after ALPYN Toys and Games shop opened at 151 London Road North.

Lowestoft Journal: The grand opening of ALPYN Toys and Games in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: The Hariga familyThe grand opening of ALPYN Toys and Games in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: The Hariga family (Image: The Hariga family)

Featuring hundreds of soft toys, card games, board games, miniature games and activity toys, the new shop expands its online offering.

Mrs Hariga said: "We are a family-run business, hailing from Romania.

"When we lived in Romania we were just by the seaside and we said that we wanted to live by the beach again.

"And so we looked around and we saw one of the best beaches, which is good for our family, and we were attracted by Lowestoft beach.

Lowestoft Journal: Adelina Hariga, inside the new ALPYN toys and games shop on Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick HowesAdelina Hariga, inside the new ALPYN toys and games shop on Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We have run ALPYN Toys and Games as an online business for three-and-a-half to four years and it has been doing really well.

"We did our research and felt we could offer something different here, and we are happy to be in Lowestoft town centre selling quality items.

"We have 700 different items to sell in the shop, along with everything online."

With cuddly animals, and soft toys featuring a Paddington collection, along with Gruffalo, Shaun the Sheep, Peppa Pig, Winnie the Pooh and more alongside board games, Star Wars, miniature games and cards, Mrs Hariga said: "The shop caters for all your family needs.

"We plan to bring more lines into the shop to have around 1,500 items."