Coronation gives royal lift to sales at retailer

Public enthusiasm for the coronation has given a royal lift to sales for a Bourne-based homewares designer.

Sophie Allport says a surge ofinterestintheCoronationof King Charles III proved to be the crowning glory of its sales last month.

The popularity of the designer’s limited-edition, coronation collection contributed to 14 per cent of the company’s retail sales.

Thebrandlauncheditscapsule collection of commemorative pieces in February and says it has seen the range consistently hit the top of its bestsellers list every week.

The small collection features a hand-decorated, fine, bone china mug, a cotton tea towel featuring portraits of KingCharlesandQueenCamilla, and a handmade tray which has now sold out.

Founder, Sophie Allport said: “We’ve seen a rise in demand for commemorative pieces over the last 12 months, withourcollectiontocelebrate the Queen’s Jubilee selling out and it looks as though our coronation design is set to do the same.

“People are investing more in keepsake items and these particular pieces allow people to be a part of a snapshot of history and mark a moment in time.

“Not only are our items lovely but they are functional. They’re beautiful items to use but would also look just as amazingasdecorativeitemson a shelf.”

She said: “I really wanted to evoke the wonderful atmosphere of the coronation. I’m not a portrait painter, but I love a challenge, and I really enjoyed painting King Charles and Queen Camilla. It felt only right to have their portraits take pride of place on the tea towel.”