A family business is set to open a brand new store after sales at its previous shop – run from home – sky-rocketed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ezi Blinds Ltd is planning to open a new shop on Stonegarth in Morton, Carlisle on Monday.

Graham Elliot, who grew up in Morton, took on the blinds supplying business 13 years ago.

“I’ve lived in Morton most of my life and I’ve always said that if I was going to open a shop, I would love to open one in Morton,” said Graham.

“It’s a dream come true.

“The space is ideal for what we wanted.

“It’s very exciting.

“This last year our sales have gone up five-fold and it was starting to get too much for just myself, and we were all working from my house.

“We’ve got so many shops and restaurants closing, but none opening so I think this is exciting stuff for all of us.

“I do feel sorry for a lot of companies that have had it hard."

The boost in demand experienced by the business has been put down to an increase in people taking up DIY and housework during lockdown.

The blinds-mania saw the family’s house soon fill up with blinds, leaving them to consider opening a bigger space.

Graham's daughter and office administrator, Abbie Elliot, said: “We were surprised how quickly it just blew up. We went from having all the blinds in the garage, to two months later having blinds in the garage, outside, in the shed, in the living room.

“We had them all over the house.

“You couldn’t see out the kitchen window.

“Graham is very happy to have his house back."