WITH a number of independent businesses in Baisngstoke stoke having recently closed their doors, one businessman and his wife have opened theirs.

Cliff Johnson and his wife Elaine recently opened the Basingstoke mattress and bed centre in Basepoint, Stroudley Road.

The couple who moved to the area from Kent opened for business on August 14 and have already found a steady flow of customers.

Cliff said: “We have found a business model which seems to work for us.

“Working out of Basepoint, it means that we have a unit where we can have samples of the mattresses that we stock but are also able to keep track of all our online orders and processes.”

The business venture is something that the couple seemed to stumble upon after Cliff had been made redundant from working on the railways.

But he said more support is needed for independent businesses.

He added: “We have read recently in the Gazette about the number of businesses closing around the town and it paints a pretty bleak picture.

“You only have to look at some of the empty units at the Top of The Town and when it comes to business rates and chain stores it is no surprise that businesses are finding it hard to survive.

“We have a situation at Basepoint where we can offer a ‘try before you buy’ process, where customers will come in try the samples then we can order the specific mattress and deliver it to the customer.”

The new business aims to supply customers with and mid-range mattresses, wooden and metal framed beds plus divan bases, bunk beds, electric beds and headboards.

For more information about the new store visit mattressandbedcentre.co.uk.