A bed shop has opened its fourth branch in Kent, with the new site proving essential to its expansion in the county.

Sussex Beds welcomed its first customers earlier this month to the new store in Foster Road on the Ashford Business Park, Sevington.

It is the family-run firm's eleventh branch across the south of England, and hopes are high for its success.

Paula Pickering, Sussex Beds' marketing manager, said: "We want to expand more into Kent and just saw a good opening there.

Fortunately the right property came up at the right time.

"Previously all of our products came from a warehouse in Hailsham, so it was a long journey from there to our Kent shops.

"The Foster Road property is quite large so we've changed part of the bottom floor into a warehouse - having two distribution hubs will really help us expand into Kent more."

The large building previously housed Ashbury Furniture which, after 15 years in the town, closed last February.

Its departure was blamed on the nearby Junction 10a works, with associated cones and signage making the business park's entrance difficult to see and access.

Furthermore traffic congestion had increased in the area, with new traffic lights being installed after the closure.

This has reduced traffic issues and Sussex Beds are eager to get people in its stores after having to close during the last year's lockdowns.

Its marketing manager added: "Seven or eight years is the maximum period you should be using the same mattress.

"If you've been spending more time than normal sleeping or relaxing on it during the lockdowns, now's a great time to treat yourself to a new one."

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