An independent homeware shop has launched its second branch today.

The Snug has opened in a unit at Ashford's Elwick Place leisure complex today, situated below the Picturehouse cinema.

Already offering a range of unique and arty wares from a shop in Tenterden and its website, The Snug hopes to expand even more with a shop in Rye potentially opening next year.

The Ashford shop comes at a time of rapid growth with its Tenterden shop only opening in September and its website debuting in June.

The first physical shop was a victim of bad timing, only being able to open for five weeks before the last full lockdown.

Regardless the business is booming, and the firm has a solid plan for drawing in customers.

Olivia Magee, marketing manager for the firm, said: "We're a home and lifestyle company born off the back of the interior design company Laughland Jones.

"We're separate entities but The Snug came about because clients of Laughland Jones liked the styling of our design previews - we thought that if people are enjoying the art and items then we should create a separate company.

"When people come to our shops we want it to be fun, exciting and different.

"People who enjoy our Tenterden store will come here and see a completely different shop. We don't want it to be like John Lewis where they're practically identical."

As The Snug moved into Elwick Place, Laughland Jones moved its centre of operations to offices behind the new shop.

Currently selling items from suppliers across the country, The Snug's end goal is to stock items designed and created completely in-house allowing complete creative freedom.

CEO Andrew Laughland regularly attends trade shows to ensure the company stays up-to-date with the latest trends and cherry picks products that he can stock.

Mr Laughland said: “Dear Kent, please come and visit our wing and a prayer of a shop. If you’re interested to see how you can create something out of nothing, then this is the place for you.

"P.S. If you could possibly buy something, quoting “wing and a prayer” will get you 5% off.”

Another newcomer to Elwick Place is Dansaki, which has been earmarked for a unit in the complex since August 2019.

Despite recent construction work being seen taking place, a definitive opening date for the Afro-Caribbean eatery has yet to be announced.

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