CANTERBURY was the choice when it came to opening a furnishing store with a "weird mix" of stock.

Settle, which features British and overseas furnishings, giftwares and lighting, opens in the former Tourist Information Centre in St Margaret's Street, on Friday

The company was formed in 1997, brainchild of Marianne and Richard Sheldrick. They have a store in Tunbridge Wells.

Marianne said: "We looked at the other retailers in Canterbury and nobody has the same weird eclectic mix as we do, there was a real gap in the market.

"We also looked at the customer profile needs and it matched our customer profile exactly.

"Currently stock is bought in from India, Indonesia, Morocco, China, Thailand and Nepal, with additional products brought from Europe and, of course the UK."

Where possible Settle uses the natural features of the buildings to enhance its products and the property in St Margaret's Street has undergone extensive restoration and preservation. It will be managed by Adam Stephen, who joined the company last year.