A Suffolk business owner is preparing to launch a second clothing store, directly opposite his current shop which has been open for a decade. 

Sean Garnham, who owns Hall Street Menswear in Long Melford, near Sudbury, is planning to open the doors to his new venture, Hall Street Ladieswear, at Lime Tree House next week. 

The new store will sell everything from shoes and boots to jeans and dresses and stock several popular country-style brands including Schoffel, RM Williams and Gant.

Mr Garnham said of his new venture: "There is a massive space in the village as over the last few years – we have lost one or two ladieswear businesses after people have closed for retirements.

"I had been looking into it for nearly two years and at the point where I almost put it to the back of my mind, lo and behold the unit directly across the road from us became empty. You could call it serendipity." 

East Anglian Daily Times: Sean Garnham outside the new Hall Street Ladieswear shopSean Garnham outside the new Hall Street Ladieswear shop (Image: Sean Garnham)

Hall Street Menswear has been a staple in Long Melford for the last decade, and Mr Garnham, who used to also run a shop in Hadleigh that stocked some womenswear as well as men's fashion, hopes this success will continue.

"I am kind of containing my emotions at the moment, it has been an emotional time and challenging at times," he said. 

"From the point that we were made aware that the shop was becoming available to now it has ben about six or seven weeks, so it has been a very quick turnaround. 

"I have got a strong team of employees and friends that have all been tremendously supportive. 

"I am looking forward to opening and I am 100% confident that the opportunity is there." 

Mr Garnham hopes to open the doors to Hall Street Ladieswear in Long Melford on Thursday, October 12.