One of Leicester's oldest shops is moving to a bigger, more central store as it expands its specialist service.
Withers Intersport is moving from its shop in Market Street to become a tenant of Dominoes toy store in High Street.
Owner Steve Brett said it will have a self-contained unit in Carts Lane – currently the rear of the Dominoes shop.
Mr Brett said it will give them room to expand the operation and their online service and even hopes to build an enclosed area with a wall for customers to try out new rackets.
The shop supplies clothes and equipment for racket sports, cricket, rugby and running, as well as more general sports equipment.
Dominoes owner and chairman Steven Sansom finalised the deal with Mr Brett on Friday.
Mr Brett said: "We are moving to a bigger store, with better facilities in a better location. We want to create a destination store and I feel this will be much more accessible.
"Although the Carts Lane shop has been part of Dominoes it will become a self-contained unit, blocked off from the main store.
"We discussed keeping the walkway between the two, but it just wasn't practical. Steven is more than happy for us to be self-contained.
"One of the main features we are looking at putting in there is a practice wall and test court for tennis and squash players to try rackets before they buy. There are only two shops in the country doing that.
"We have been thinking about this for a long time and I had considered moving out of the city centre, but we've been in Leicester for 70 years and wanted to stay.
"This will be two independent family businesses coming together in a fashion – they will have the prestige of us being close to them, and we can hopefully benefit from their business as well.
"I know it's a cliche to say it, but this is great for the city."
Mr Brett, a former county tennis and badminton champion and over-45 competitor, bought Withers last spring when Bob Withers retired from the business his father started in 1940.
It has been based in Market Street for more than 30 years.
He said the three full-time and three part-time staff would move to the new store, with the possibility of expanding the team as the business grows. It will open in May.
Steven Sansom said the two companies had a lot in common. They both received awards last year, Dominoes for Best Independent Toy Shop and Withers for Best Independent Sports Shop. He said: "We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to Withers and it will be a great addition to Carts Lane."
Withers Intersport has a shop at Leicester Lawn Tennis Club and is developing an outlet at Ashby Lawn Tennis Club.
Courtesy of the Leicester Mercury