A removals and storage company is adding another string to its bow after launching an upcycling shop.
Loads4Less is opening a new store on Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, to sell goods which it has recovered and improved to give a second lease of life.
The Future50 firm started out as a man-with-a-van business in 2010 but since then it has expanded its services to take in removals, storage, packing, cleaning, clearance and furniture sales.
Founder Adam Soall said he wanted to save waste and money by doing up old 'bits and pieces'.
He said: 'We get a lot of things which are in working order but look out of fashion, so we are fixing them up and bringing undesirable items back to good condition and making them up-to-date.
'We are taking something which would go into landfill, and cost us money to do that, and making it into something which lasts longer.'
Mr Soall said styles had changed, though old-fashioned items could be brought back to life with a simple coat of paint.
While some of the work takes place at Mr Soall's home others from the 15-strong Loads4Less team are getting involved, with workers taking PAT testing and French polishing courses to increase the range of items they can work on.
'We want to keep it in-house so we can keep the cost down,' Mr Soall said.
One of the reasons for diversifying is to keep the company growing, amid signs that the housing market is slowing.
Mr Soall said: 'The last couple of years have been a bit tough and things haven't been easy since the Brexit vote.
'The business had been growing quickly which I thought had come to an end but it seems that everyone is seeing things slow down.
'One of the reasons for the store is that it is a very good way to advertise the main business.'
Another reason for the move is an increase in the number of house clearances Loads4Less have been called to do.
The Prince of Wales store is set to open in the next couple of weeks, Mr Soall said.
He added the company, which has a turnover of around £360,000, had already gained interest with buyers coming forward for some items while staff have been refurbishing the shop.
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