MORE than 60 shoppers turned out at a historic High Street building on Friday, for the grand reopening of a popular carpet store.

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Phoenix Flooring & Bedrooms, which has been a feature of the street since 1999.

Visitors also enjoyed drinks and nibbles to celebrate the occasion.

Thanks to a six figure loan from Natwest and a £90,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the business now boasts a traditional-looking shop front, double-glazed sash windows and rebuilt internal walls.

Business owner Mark Tanner said: "Because the building is of historical interest we've been able to get a town heritage initiative grant through the Lottery and Bromsgrove Council. Without the grant we wouldn't have been able to do this.

"We've updated the building and we haven't got a leaking roof anymore. Everything has been brought up to modern standards while also keeping the character of the building."

Mark has been an employee at Phoenix since it opened and, after renting the premises for seven years, decided to buy the building 18 months ago.

The updated store now sells a larger amount of more varied stock, and also employs an extra member of staff.

Speaking after the grand reopening, town MP Mr Javid said: "It was great to see so many people turn out. The shop is a great asset to the High Street. Thank you to the Bromsgrove District Council for securing the heritage fund that will protect our town’s oldest buildings for future generations."