Designs on success (From Penarth Times)

Designs on success

A MAJOR new store specialising in home and garden products will open for business in Penarth town centre this summer.

The premises in Ludlow Lane - which are more than a century old and were previously used as stables, a funeral parlour and a laundry - have just undergone a 250,000 refurbishment.

The new store, called Hamptons, will incorporate the old snooker hall and fruit market.

Hamptons will create 15 full and part-time retail postitions in addition to opportunities in design which will be filled later in the year.

There will also be a cafe bar with seating for 40 people and a design studio on the new site.

The business is the brainchild of Andy Bradshaw and Peter Knowles, who own an interior and garden design company based in Sully.

Peter said: "Working in design we find ourselves constantly travelling outside of Wales to source items for clients.

"We came up with the idea of a retail outlet to supply products which are not available in the large multiples and indeed which cannot currently be purchased in Wales at all.

"We have negotiated exclusive deals with many of our suppliers and some of these only supply to the likes of Harvey Nichols.

"We will also be importing some items directly from Europe and the US.

"We will also be bringing together a range of Welsh designers and producers who are looking for a high street presence."

The store will stock a wide range of products, from cushions and sofas, to garden tools and planters and picture frames.

Peter added: "We are aiming to add something to Penarth town centre that it does not already have - and hope Hamptons will become a destination store.

"The building is a tremendous space and it comes with quite a history.