A Suffolk kitchen and homeware company has moved into premises that used to be occupied by a prominent and long-standing newsagents'.
The Woodbridge Kitchen Company has opened as 'Aldeburgh Kitchen Company' in the former home of Baggott & Son in Aldeburgh High Street.
The business' co-owner has pledged to deliver the same "high quality" service that the firm has provided for customers at its Woodbridge store.
READ MORE: Aldeburgh: Baggott and Sons' loss 'like village shop going'
Paul Venediger, who runs the company with Kirsteen Torrance, said they had been looking for an opportunity to expand along the Suffolk coast because of the success the business had experienced in serving the Woodbridge community.
"We have got a well established business in Woodbridge and we have been looking for other opportunities along the coast because we know we can serve the community in Woodbridge and we felt there was an opportunity to do the same in Aldeburgh along this part of the Suffolk coast," Mr Venediger said.
READ MORE: Aldeburgh: Baggott and Son owner 'lost more than £100,000'
The retailer specialises in cooking, gift and homeware products and has more than 4,000 items in stock, although space limitations at Aldeburgh have prevented the firm from offering the full range that it currently offers at its Woodbridge store.
However, Mr Venediger said there would be a free collection service in Aldeburgh for items stocked in Woodbridge.
The company's range includes pans, frying pans, saucepans, homewares and giftware.
The closure of Baggott & Son in May sparked concern and dismay in the local community and national media about the loss of a shop considered a hub for the community which sold newspapers, magazines and traditional seaside gifts.
Peter Cooney, owner of Baggott & Son, told the EADT turnover at the newsagents had been declining, particularly since the opening of new supermarkets in the town.
He said he had lost £100,000 during the 14 years he had been operating the business and could not afford to pay redundancy money to his five staff.
Mr Venediger said he was looking to recruit three staff - two full-time and one part-time - for the Aldeburgh store, which will be open from 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Next year, the Woodbridge Kitchen Company, which has taken 7,000 orders in three years, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary.
"It has been a great opportunity to find a new premises and we have been looking since the Covid pandemic and when we saw the unfortunate demise of Baggotts, it was a great opportunity for us," Mr Venediger added.
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