THE value of rummaging around car boot sales has been proved after two women used their forensic retail skills to set up their own vintage goods business.

Called Annaliz, it was founded in 2007 when long time friends Liz Williams and Ann Bush began visiting car boot sales across the county. They progressed on to stands at collectables, curios and vintage fairs and then established the business in the Old Needle Works in Redditch only 12 months ago.

The business proved so successful it has now moved to the ground floor of the Old County Court in the town's Church Road and there are plans to open a new café in the former bailiffs’ office. Annaliz specialises in an eclectic range of vintage furniture, crockery, clothes and all manner of collectables and curios from 1800-1970.

Ms Williams said: “Annaliz Vintage has grown every year since we started in 2007 and our first big step was to open a store in the Old Needle Works.

“But it soon became clear that we needed more space and so we took advice from Ashley Gurr at Kerwoods and Ben Truslove at John Truslove on the best move for us.

“The Old County Court is a lovely building which is rediscovering its purpose. We have taken the former waiting rooms, the judges’ and bailiffs’ rooms and have an option to expand further in the future.

“We believe that having a town centre location on the corner of Church Road and Adelaide Street can only increase footfall, especially when we have fully opened Bailiffs Café which will not only showcase our wares, but also give shoppers somewhere really welcoming to enjoy a coffee and some homemade cake.”

Mr Gurr, corporate and commercial property partner at Kerwoods Solicitors advised the pair on the lease, while Ben Truslove of property agents John Truslove introduced them to the property.

The two partners have taken 1,700 sq ft on a two year lease and the move has already created one job, with a further appointment likely when the new Bailiffs Café is up and running.