THE most modern of businesses has taken over one of Devizes' most historic buildings.

Businessman Pete Dixon has opened an e-cigarette business in the old cheese shop on the corner of Maryport Street and Monday Market Street which has been empty for a year.

He is delighted with the welcome to the town for Choice E-Cig but is frustrated that his desire to spruce up the front of the building by giving it a new coat of paint must wait as it is a listed building so he must get permission.

Mr Dixon said: "We are delighted to have moved in and we have done the interior but we are desperately keen to do the outside.

"We don't want to change the colour, just to freshen it up and use proper woodwork paint rather than the Sandtex which is on there at the moment."

He has now applied to Wiltshire Council for permission and hopes to get on with the work as soon as possible.

Mr Dixon, who has employed Devizes woman Leanne Chapman as manager, and three other members of staff, believes e-cigarettes are here to stay.

He said: "I think in five years' time they will be even more popular than they are now."

But he accepts that they are a healthier choice to smoking rather than a healthy choice.

He explained the fluids allowed users to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine they inhaled.

He is determined to give would-be customers as many facts and advice as possible about e-cigarettes. He said: "That is the difference between being a business that specialises in e-cigarettes rather than one that just sells them. We want to offer real customer service."

He wants to make sure customers understand how batteries should be charged and to be careful with the fluids involved.

All of the fluids he sells are sourced in the UK and although the units come from the Far East they all carry safety marks.

Mr Dixon, from Royal Wootton Bassett, became interested in e-cigarettes when he wanted to give up smoking himself and looked at the electronic alternatives.

He said: "I don't smoke ordinary cigarettes at all now and feel much better for it."

A pottery painting company that set up in the shop in November 2012 closed two years later. Previously it was home to Travelwise but it is still best known in Devizes as the old cheese shop.