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Shop owners in Tunbridge Wells give their verdict of BBC Two's Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr

By: Alan Smith ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 13:00, 24 February 2021

Updated: 14:00, 24 February 2021

Three shops in The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells were featured on BBC2's popular Interior Design Masters, presented by comedian Alan Carr this week.

Collared pet shop, Pantiles Cameras and the Trevor Mottram kitchenware store all saw their interiors revamped by pairs of designers who were given two days to come up with a new look for the businesses.

Alan Carr is in Tunbridge Wells for Interior Design Masters. Picture credit: BBC/DSP part of Banijay UK

The programme aired yesterday, although it was filmed between lockdowns in September.

Alan Wood and his wife Sarah bought Trevor Mottram's store from Sarah's uncle in 2000.

The shop presented the biggest challenge to the designers because of the volume of stock on display.

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Because the premises were larger than the other two, the designers revamped only half the store to make the competition between the teams equal, but Mr Wood said he and his wife were delighted with the result.

Mr Wood said: "We were totally happy. The part of the shop they did hadn't been touched since 1993, so it was dire need of refreshing."

Sarah and Alan Wood of Trevor Mottram on the show. Picture: BBC

He said: "We've stuck with their design exactly and haven't altered a thing."

The store had only a few months of trading after the revamp before lockdown forced its closure but Mr Wood believes the re-design did increase business.

He said: "We were limiting the numbers in the shop because of social distancing, but we were often full."

Kitchen-wear shop Trevor Mottram before the re-design on Interior Design Masters. Picture BBC
Kitchen-wear shop Trevor Mottram after the re-design on Interior Design Masters. Picture: BBC

David Podbury, owner of Pantiles Cameras, had a more measured approach.

He said: "What they did was a bit like a set. It was not very durable, and not very secure.

"However, it was much brighter and more open.

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"I wouldn't have done it myself, but was it better? Definitely."

Ahead of the project, the BBC promised all three shops it would restore their businesses to how they were before if the owners didn't like the changes.

Dave Podbury of Pantiles Cameras with designers Barbara and Lynsey. Picture: BBC

Mr Podbury had them back for two or three days after the show to "make it a bit more workable" - but he's stuck with the overall design.

Camera shop Pantiles Cameras before the re-design on Interior Design Masters. Picture: BBC (44591623)
Camera shop Pantiles Cameras after the re-design on Interior Design Masters. Picture: BBC

The owners of Collared could not be reached for comment.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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