The home of Laura Ashley: Grade-II listed building where British fashion and textile empire was launched could be yours for £230,000
- Building in Machynlleth, Powys was site of Laura Ashley’s first shop in 1961
- The 17th century shop launched empire of 230 outlets worldwide for retailer
- Property, known as the Deco House, is now on the market for £230,000
A 17th century shop in Wales where fashion and textile retailer Laura Ashley launched an empire is now on the market for £230,000.
The Grade-II listed building – known as the Deco Shop – was purchased by Laura Ashley and her husband Bernard in the early 1960s.
They opened the shop, in Machynlleth, Powys, in 1961 and lived in the flat above it, before going on to open an empire of 230 Laura Ashley stores worldwide.
The brand boasted a typical English country style until filing for administration in March 2020. All of its stores closed by January 2021, but Laura Ashley homeware can still be bought in the likes of Next and John Lewis.
The Deco Shop has a plaque commemorating it as the birthplace of Laura Ashley.
The Grade-II listed building – known as the Deco Shop – was purchased by Laura Ashley and her husband Bernard in the early 1960s
The property was snapped up by Laura and her husband Bernard after they started up their business selling headscarves and accessories
It has a retail space on the ground floor, accommodation upstairs and features period oak staircases and timber panels.
The property was snapped up by Laura and her husband Bernard after they started up their business selling headscarves and accessories.
They set up their company in England before it nearly collapsed in 1958 when flooding destroyed much of the stock in Kent.
The couple decided to move to Wales and bought the store – while living in the rooms above for six years.
The first floor features two rooms including a staff room along with a bathroom – and the second floor has two rooms with one featuring a skylight.
Laura Ashley’s global success meant that she went on to afford a yacht, a private plane, the French Château de Remaisnil in Picardy and a town-house in Brussels.
Laura Ashley’s global success meant that she went on to afford a yacht, a private plane, the French Château de Remaisnil in Picardy and a town-house in Brussels
She also owned the mansion Rhydoldog House in Powys, Wales, before she died in 1985 – which has since been bought by singer Charlotte Church
She also owned the mansion Rhydoldog House in Powys, Wales, before she died in 1985 – which has since been bought by singer Charlotte Church.
Paul Evans of estate agents Morris Marshall & Poole, said: ‘This is an exceptional opportunity for the right buyer, having the opportunity to purchase a period property with an interesting history.
‘It is a commercial premises, currently known as the Deco Shop, selling quality artist materials and associated items and a base for their interior design business.
‘Contained over three floors, it offers fantastic potential in its excellent trading position.’
The first floor features two rooms including a staff room along with a bathroom – and the second floor has two rooms with one featuring a skylight
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