A paving supplier is set to open a first-of-its-kind showroom that gives customers a chance to see what their paving will look like before it is laid.

Felixstowe-based Southern Stone Supplies will be opening the showroom in Orwell Road, Felixstowe, on Saturday as it looks to supply the residential market, having been mainly focused on the commercial side since the business started a year ago.

James Feltwell, who is one of the directors, said the company had been running its operations from a stock yard in Parker Avenue, near the Port of Felixstowe.

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He said: "We have taken the step to open a showroom so residential clients can come and have a look at paving stones before they are laid."

The new premises, which will be formally opened at 2pm, will be operated by Mr Feltwell and his fellow directors, Nathan Burns and Anny Minto.

He added the difference between the new showroom and other outdoor showrooms locally was that customers would be able to get a good idea of how their paving would look once it had been laid, whereas at other venues they would only be able to see the paving in situ.

The firm specialises in porcelain, sandstone and limestone paving and Mr Feltwell said visitors to the showroom would be able to have a chat and a coffee with the directors.

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The premises will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and by appointment on Saturdays.

Mr Feltwell said: "It used to be a shed company. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and it was left dormant there for a while, then the opportunity came up and we wanted to renovate it - it was a hole, for want of a better word. 

"We have renovated the flooring, painted the walls, brought in furniture. The whole thing has been completely ripped to pieces and started afresh really."

READ MORE: Felixstowe news