STAFF at an Anderton-based business are celebrating opening a brand new shop just three and a half years after the demise of their former employer.

Roger Firth, Nichola Floyd, Gary Stevenson and Andy Roberts opened up A&E Leisure after their former employer Harringtons Caravans of Delamere went bust in October 2011.

The redundant foursome originally opened up just yards away from their former base servicing caravans and motor homes before moving to a unit on the Cosgrove Industrial Park on Daisy Bank Lane in Anderton.

And now after building up their client base they launched their brand new 3,500 sq ft shop over the weekend by holding a two-day welcome event for customers across the north west.

Roger told the Guardian the support of the firms customers was crucial.

"We had a small shop before and it was only very small but now we have got loads more accessories and really gone for it," he said.

"Our customers have really supported us and bought into our customer service.

"We don't sell caravans or motor homes and that may come in the future but we started off with servicing, then sold more and more accessories, then we opened the shop.

"The secret to our growth is that we are very reasonably priced and we are not looking at making massive profits, so it means we are very competitive."

Harringtons Caravans went bust in October 2011 and Roger said it was just three weeks later that A&E Leisure was born.

"When we were made redundant it was a case of 'what are we going to do now?'," he added.

"We got together and we had this idea and went for it. Three weeks later we did our first job and it was a bit of a whirlwind. It was difficult at first but our customers got behind us."

The shop is open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.