Annaliz Vintage courting town centre shoppers

A specialist vintage goods retailer is expanding in Redditch with the help of local professional advisers.

Annaliz Vintage has moved into the ground floor of the Old County Court in Church Road and plans to open a new café in the former bailiffs’ office.

The business was set up in 2007 when long time friends Liz Williams and Ann Bush started visiting car boot sales. They progressed on to stands at collectables, curios and vintage fairs and then established the business in The Old Needle Works in Redditch just 12 months ago.

So successful has the decision been to establish a store for their eclectic range of vintage furniture, crockery, clothes and all manner of collectables and curios from 1800-1970, they have been forced into a move into new premises in the town centre just a year later.

Ashley Gurr, corporate and commercial property partner at neighbouring Kerwoods Solicitors in Church Road, advised them on the lease, while Ben Truslove of Redditch property agents John Truslove introduced them to the property.

The two partners have taken 1,700 sq ft on a two year lease and the move has already created one job, with a further appointment likely when the new Bailiffs Café is up and running.

Liz Williams said: “Annaliz Vintage has grown every year since we started in 2007 and our first big step was to open a store in The Old Needle Works.

“But it soon became clear that we needed more space and so we took advice from Ashley Gurr at Kerwoods and Ben Truslove at John Truslove on the best move for us.

“The Old County Court is a lovely building which is rediscovering its purpose. We have taken the former waiting rooms, the judges’ and bailiffs’ rooms and have an option to expand further in the future.

“We believe that having a town centre location on the corner of Church Road and Adelaide Street can only increase footfall, especially when we have fully opened Bailiffs Café which will not only showcase our wares, but also give shoppers somewhere really welcoming to enjoy a coffee and some homemade cake.”

Ashley Gurr said: “Kerwoods is a local business too, and so it was heartening to be able to advise Liz and Ann on their move into the Old County Court and to welcome them as neighbours now!

“I am sure both our staff and our clients will welcome the chance to drop into the Bailiffs Café and also browse in Annaliz Vintage.”

Ben Truslove said: “The Old County Court is a landmark town centre building being brought back to life by property developer Preet Singh, director of Midland Estate Management Ltd.

“It offers 10,000 sq ft in total and as well as welcoming the most recent tenants Annaliz Vintage, it is also now home to local businesses including Redditch Footcare Surgery, recruitment consultant Galfarr Boutique and DC Mechanical Services.

“Space is still available includes the former Courtroom, with individual offices from £250 per month.”