A well-known local golfer has moved his sports shop into the centre of Norwich to see increased footfall – and, perhaps, to be closer to his son, who runs a fitness gym a couple of doors down the same street.

Chris Potter Golf, a sports shop owned by a Norfolk golfer of that name, has moved into Ber Street from Blofield in the hope of attracting more customers in what his wife said could be an 'up-and-coming' retail area.

And the move brings two Potters to the street, as his son Matthew has already been located there for around two years in Style Health and Fitness store a few doors up the road.

Sally Potter, business partner in the company and Mr Potter's wife, said the region as a whole was a good place to sell golfing products, but footfall at their old base near Blofield had been a problem.

'Norfolk is attractive to golfers – there are a lot of good golf courses around,' she said. 'And Chris' name is so well known in the golfing world around here, we've got a loyal customer base.'

Being an independent golfing shop meant a key location was more important than space, said Mrs Potter, as the shop has downscaled from 2,000sq ft to 500.

'Being opposite John Lewis has helped,' she said. 'It really could be an up-and-coming specialised sports street, with Sports Direct and Pilch here as well. We've seen footfall go up a lot.'

Perhaps the gym run by a younger Mr Potter will also add to the sporting feel of the street, and attract yet more customers to leave busier streets such as Gentleman's Walk and Chapelfield.

Mrs Potter said: 'This used to be a red-light district – and now look at it. 'We think it's going to be an even better location in the next few years.'

Do you have a family business story to tell? Contact business writer Jess Staufenberg on 01603772531 or email jessica.staufenberg@archant.co.uk