A COUPLE who climbed on Mount Everest are scaling new heights after opening a local business.

Lynda Newland fulfilled a family dream opening Newland’s Tea and Gift shop with husband Steve.

The pair met three years ago after joining an Internet dating site, were engaged within seven months and married in Sri Lanka in November 2007.

Mrs Newland, 57, used to run an interior design company but was forced to give it up after a back injury.

The pair had talked about running their own business for a while, and late last year decided to make it happen.

They have ploughed about £20,000 into setting up the tea and gift shop in the former Lissiter’s furniture and antique shop in Sheep Street, which opened in November.

Mrs Newland, who is originally from America and moved to the UK in 1982, said: “My parents were in the military and were based at Upper Heyford in the 60s.

“My mother always dreamed of having a tea room with a gift shop, but it didn’t happen.

“I have a back problem. I can’t lift anything over two kilos and I can’t drive distances. But we decided to go ahead with the business idea and just do it. We have never looked back.”

Being with each other 24/7 is something the couple relish.

Mrs Newland, who also has a son, Craig Jeske, 37, who lives in Miami, said: “We never argue. We laugh all the time. We are each other’s best friend.”

In 2007 the adventurous pair climbed 700m above second base camp on the world’s highest mountain, and later that year married in Sri Lanka.

They were the first couple to marry at the resort following the devastating tsunami in 2004.

Next year the business will become a real family affair when Mrs Newland’s daughter, Renee Booth, 33, joins the team offering hand-made bath products and beauty therapies on the second and third floors.

Mrs Booth runs her business from her home in Chipping Warden, but can’t wait to set up shop in Bicester.

She said: “I’m really excited. It’s really nice to do something with them.”

Former electrician Mr Newland’s son Ben, a builder, has also given a helping hand getting the shop ready to open.