‘Quirky’ new homeware store Ovo Home finds niche in Chester

Jul 28 2011 Chester Chronicle

CHESTER shoppers’ love of quirky independent retailers is helping a new retro homeware shop and café find a niche for itself in the city, according to its owner.

Business partners Andrew Fowkes, a retail consultant and Bartek Ostojski, a property developer, set up Ovo Home on Rufus Court off Northgate Street in April with support from Chester based accountants Mitchell Charlesworth.Š The shop specialises in high end 1950s and 60s retro homeware and furniture and is supported by a thriving online business Ovohome.com

Andrew said he has dreamt of running his own shop, having for years worked as a Mary Portas style retail consultant for high street names across Europe. He said Ovo is performing well despite the economic climate and has received lots of positive feedback.

“I worked in Chester as a buyer for M&S in the ’90s so I knew the city pretty well,” he said. “Chester is fairly unique in that it can support a business like ours. The shopping community here is sophisticated and has a passion for, and understanding of, the quality of small independent retailers.”

He added: “We are offering a very different experience to high street chain style shopping.

“Chester thankfully has not succumbed to clone town syndrome and its shops are still different enough to give the city its own idiosyncratic feel.Š

“As a result we have an audience here. We are about customer service, we are about offering different unusual products you cannot find easily elsewhere. The café equally has proved popular again with shoppers wanting something different as part of their experience. ”