A NEW independent shop has just opened in Ross-on-Wye selling bespoke mid 20th century furniture and other curiosities.

Allison and Jeff Charles, owners of Four Interiors in Gloucester Road, explained that when they bought the building it was empty and initially, we had planned to rent it out.

Jeff added: “However, we own a number of good quality mid-20th century pieces of furniture which had been in storage for a long time and thought that by opening and running the shop ourselves, we could sell these items.

“It means that our furniture stock will not last long, so we are looking to obtain similar individual pieces of upcycled furniture to sell.”

The couple originally moved to Ross in 2018 after Jeff had sold his investment business and Allison had retired from being a fundraiser for the Guide Dogs Association.

Since renovating the shop and the two apartments above we’ve been struck by the friendliness of both local people and fellow traders in Ross,” added Jeff.

“This has helped us to vindicate our decision to invest in the town in which we live as apposed to other local market towns.

“I think we are part of a new era where a variety of other independent traders have recently opened shops in Ross, or in one case expanded into a second premises, to create a new buzz in town.”

A number of local artists have approached the couple to sell a variety of their work which includes originals and limited-edition prints.

In addition to the furniture, a range of soft furnishings including blankets and throws, candles, cards and stationery will be stocked.

The town’s mayor Cllr Bev Pope conducted the formal opening ceremony at which Jeff concluded: “Ross has enough nail bars and barbers, and this is when we we felt it was too nice not to sell something nice from it.”