AN antiques business already recognised as the largest in Europe is expanding further.
Hemswell Antique Centres already boasts items from 300 dealers across three buildings at its former RAF base home. Now it is adding a fourth building to the estate.
Hemswell, opened in 1986, purchased the Guardroom for an undisclosed fee and now plans to invest a significant sum in refurbishing the building.
The expansion plans will add a further 75 dealers to the Hemswell family and add an extra 6,000sq foot.
Plans for the Guardroom, which will keep its existing name, include an extra floor and a new atrium-style roof.
The interior design proposed by managing director Robert Miller was inspired by a recent trade mission to Japan.
The visit was undertaken by Mr Miller as part of the launch of the Hemswell business into the Far East.
The company currently exports around seven per cent of its goods to the Far East – around 30 per cent of its entire overseas trade – and launched a new Japanese language website to capitalise on growth in the region.
The new website (http://www.hemswell-antiques.com/jp/) was developed over eight months by county-based web company TJS with the help of a professional translator.
Mr Miller believes the redeveloped Guardroom will act as a “gateway” to the rest of the Hemswell site and it is hoped the project will be completed by the Autumn this year.
“We have already received an extremely positive response from both existing and potentially new dealers as well as customers,” said Mr Miller.
“The company has invested heavily in its overseas growth in recent years with new mobile applications for ipad and smart phones and foreign language websites.
“But our strategy plans are not just confined to foreign markets and electronic media. We know that many customers want to experience a more personal service and to see our antiques ‘in the flesh’ by visiting our centres.
“This acquisition is an important step in creating a strong and successful business and we are delighted to have finally secured the deal.”