Westbourne DIY & Hardware is Trader of the Week

Found in the arcade, Westbourne DIY & Hardware is a well-loved shop run by husband-and-wife Chris and Philippa Lane.

It may be small, but it boasts a huge product range- the reason why many customers have compared it to a “veritable Aladdin’s cave” and a “DIY’ers dream”.

In fact, there are so many products that some have to be displayed outside the shop.

Chris said: “There’s kitchenware, hardware, DIY, electricals, stationary, lightbulbs, paints, cleaning stuff, gardening stuff. We do a bit of everything.”

And that’s not all. The store’s wide range of stock also includes, but is not limited to, car accessories, pet toys and food, gifts and sweets.

Inside Westbourne DIY & Hardware (Image: newsquest)

Chris added: “It’s only what people have asked for over the years. If we get asked for something three or four times, we’re under the impression that no one can get in the area, so we try our best to get it in.”

Westbourne DIY & Hardware has remained a well-known shop Westbourne, but its home hasn’t always been in the arcade.

In fact, its original owner started the business as a wallpaper shop elsewhere in the town, before turning it into a hardware store.

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Chris said: “Philippa worked for the chap that owned it before, he had it since 1977. It was originally over the road.

“He was retiring, so we took it over. The landlord wanted to double the lease, so we moved to another shop.

Stock outside the shop front (Image: newsquest)

Since taking over the business 16 years ago, Chris and Philippa have continued to expand the product range, and their relationships within the community.

One online review has even described the pair as “the nicest people you could ever meet.”

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Chris said: “We bought a good business, and we’ve just kept building.

“Since opening back up from Covid, we’ve been even more busy.”

In recent months, the store has also introduced key cutting, which Chris has said is “really popular.” He added: “We do a good price; I didn’t realise that until people came in and told me what they pay in other places!”

Westbourne DIY & Hardware is found in the Westbourne Arcade.