AN ANTIQUES business will open a second showroom next month at an iconic town centre location.

The Alleyways at St Michael's Estate is expanding to take over part of the former Gundry and Amsafe net and rope-making premises at The Court on West Street, opposite Waitrose.

Richard Payne-Withers, who owns the business, is excited to be expanding and hopes it will add to the antiques scene in the town.

He said: "We are extremely excited. This project has been a year in planning.

"As it's a beautiful listed building, it has taken longer than we first anticipated - but we are happy we have been able to get it right.

"There are a lot of new antique dealers who will be moving into the new showroom. We have really been able to take the business to the next level.

"What we are hoping is it will encourage more antique shops to open. We don't want to be flooded with them like we are with other types of businesses, but it would be great to give people another reason to visit the town."

Mr Payne-Withers also reassured customers that the Alleyways site at St Michael's Trading Estate will remain open despite development plans and he believes the business is an important part of the Haywards-owned estate.

He added: "The estate is one hell of a pull for tourists.

"We are a pull for people coming down here. If the Alleyways is diminished in size or it goes, it will have an impact on the estate. We will have to wait and see what comes out of the planning process.

"Like a lot other businesses, we couldn't have got where we are now without Haywards. They have given us a chance. We have done the same to the dealers on a smaller scale. Haywards have six or so tenants who originally started with us."

The new showroom will open on Saturday, April 29 and has already seen an interest from traders from across the region.

Mr Payne-Withers added: "We will hopefully open from April 29. It may not be completely full but it will be a soft opening. It will take a while to build it up.

"We have a few dealers from across the south west that want to come into the new showroom. When it opens, people will be able to see the benefit of being on the high street and the footfall that comes with it."

The first vintage market of the year will take place on Sunday (26) at St Michael's Trading Estate from 10am until 4pm. For more information, email vintagemarketbridport@gmail.com