A couple who set up their own upholstery business are cashing in on the recession as home-owners favour restoring furniture instead of throwing it away.

Stuart Ash and Andrea Parker set up their own fabric and furniture restoration business in Much Wenlock last year and are now expanding and employing more staff after just 12 months.

The couple are now launching a complementary fabric showroom above the original shop in Bridgnorth Road, called Wenlock Fabrics.

The firm’s success also means it is looking to take on both an additional upholsterer and an assistant to help in the shop.

Andrea said: “Wenlock Upholstery has been a tremendous success. We’ve been incredibly busy.

“Customers come here on a regular basis from across Shropshire and further afield and we’ve been delighted with the response.

“It made perfect sense to expand upstairs and establish Wenlock Fabrics so customers have a wide range of materials to choose from for upholstery jobs handled by us and for their own interior decoration projects.”

Stuart said the market for restoring furniture has proved a hit with shoppers.

“Everyone is keen to buy good quality vintage furniture and restore it as necessary,” he said.

“We’re no longer a throw-away society, people really enjoy buying an old item and having it restored to its former glory.”

The new showroom was due to open today alongside Wenlock Fabrics which will offer a curtain and cushion-making service.

For more information call the shop on (01952) 727269.