Ashby Decorator Centre in Derby Road is preparing to mark 15 years in the town centre.

During that time, businesses have come and gone in Ashby. But the bespoke paint and wallpaper shop has remained a constant fixture - and come out of the Covid years as strong as ever.

One of the reasons is that Ashby Decorator Centre deals in quality products.

High end paints and wallpapers are the store's trademark, something manager Will McNeice identified early on following its opening in 2009.

He began stocking the regular paint brands until a customer gave him some advice he has never forgotten.

Will said: "She asked me what we stocked, and said: 'You're just like all the other shops then aren't you?'

"That made me think and from then on, I decided we should specialise in quality decorating and offer a bespoke service."

Ashby Decorator Centre deals in Farrow & Ball paint, along with Little Greene - and has just added Fenwick & Tilbrook to the range.

Ashby Decorator Centre has been a long-time Farrow & Ball paint stockist

Will is now established in Ashby and he hopes the new housing estates being built nearby will see another surge in demand for their products.

He added: "People tend to redecorate once every five years, so it's something they like to take some time over. Obviously, there are a lot of new houses going up at the moment, and there's a blank canvas to work from, so hopefully that's where we come in.

"The paints we sell are a bit more expensive, but they will last, and £100 to decorate an entire room isn't too bad, especially when compared to the cost of other things we buy for our homes."

Will says he has noticed one major change in the decorating industry over the past 15 years.

Ashby Decorator Centre is in Derby Road, Ashby de la Zouch

He added: "It's probably the growth of designer paints.

"When we first started, we went down the route of having Dulux and Crown.

"But then we quickly realised that we weren't going to be able to compete with the B&Qs of this world, and people wanted the higher quality paints.

"After that, became an official stockist for Farrow & Ball. We found it was a high quality paint with amazing colours and people were coming from miles around for it.

"When we first started selling it, no one really knew what F&B was. But now everybody knows their name.

Ashby Decorator Centre also stocks Little Greene and has just added Fenwick & Tilbrook to the range

"So, we decided to go down the designer route and that's what's behind why we've been here for so long.

"We only quality products - I've sold cheap paint before, but people get disappointed with it, or bring it back. So, selling the designer stuff is different, higher quality, better coverage and the colour pallets are very popular."

Will says his customers are getting 'bolder' with their colour choices and are more aware of what's available, and they can help make sure they get the right paint for the job they're doing.

But he says the same high standards apply to the wallpaper sold at Ashby Decorator Centre. "We look to get papers to suit everyone, all property types and all budgets.