A new business is moving into the empty premises where Laura Ashley used to be.

Sofas & Stuff will be opening a new showroom in Salisbury city centre, at 7 New Canal.

The sofa business has 18 showrooms around the country, where customers can look at designs and be taken through fabric choices to design bespoke pieces of furniture.

The website says their shops are usually located in "historic market towns", converted countryside barns or "quirky" urban sites.

Founder Andrew Cussins grew up in the industry, with his father Manny owning furniture business Waring & Gillow.

Mr Cussins set up Sofa Workshop at the age of 27, which "nearly went bust" many times in its first three years of business.

After selling Sofa Workshop in 2002, he noticed a gap in the market for bespoke, handmade, British sofas and beds.

In 2009, he set up Sofas & Stuff with four employees, with their first showroom in an old timbered barn in Fittleworth, West Sussex.

On his Salisbury launch, ​Andrew Cussins said: "We are excited to launch our new showroom in Salisbury, bringing the Sofas & Stuff experience to the beautiful town and surrounding area.

"Our team can’t wait to become part of the community, and to welcome customers into our new home."

Although the business cannot confirm when the showroom will open, a sign on the door of the shop is advertising job openings with an expected start date of Monday, December 20.

The company is looking for a Showroom Manager and Design Consultant.

For more information, call 01453 700812 or email pamela@sofasandstuff.com

Laura Ashley closed its Salisbury branch last year, after the chain filed for administration during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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