ROMAN EMPIRE GOES BRITISH

A NORTH East based, national online homewares retailer is celebrating all things British by launching a Best of British range, and they are tapping into local resources for some original ideas, which include a series of very British photographic prints and some carefully crafted handmade Memo boards.

Newton Aycliffe based business Roman at Home, part of the Roman Limited Group of Companies, has enlisted the help of Newcastle based photographer, Sarah Deane and a crafty Darlington resident, Janet Shaw, to create a totally unique collection of British Products.

The company started by putting out a call on their website, inviting companies and people to put their products forward to be considered as part of their Best of British range.

Roman at Home’s Commercial Director Julian Pearson commented: “The aim of the range is to celebrate all things British in line with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the up and coming sporting events of the summer. We were keen to create a series of unique products that are either made in Britain or British inspired.

“We decided to put the call out on our website, to open the opportunity up to a variety of people – including those who perhaps design and create things more as a hobby, or those who haven’t sold their products commercially before, as opposed to simply the traditional businesses and suppliers that we would usually work with.”

Award winning photographer, Sarah Deane, was one of the first to get in touch and comments: “One of my friends saw the call on Roman at Home’s website and suggested I put my photographic prints forward for the range. I haven’t sold my prints in this way before – I would usually exhibit annually at Open Studios at the Mushroom Works, Quayside or at my own Studio near the Ouseburn in Newcastle. I was certainly interested in the proposition of making my work available on a well-established website such as Roman at Home.”

Deane then e-mailed the company with a contact sheet of some of her work: “I thought my photos taken at a seaside and local fairground really encapsulate the British theme – these are traditional British family days out.”

The fine art prints were an instant hit with the retailer. Pearson comments “We were very impressed with Sarah’s photographs and invited her in to talk in more detail about the product offering. Her works are totally different to other products available on Roman at Home and being British inspired and shot in Britain by a British photographer, they were a perfect fit for the Best of British range.”

Darlington resident, Janet Shaw, also approached the company after seeing the product call on their website: “I have recently retired from teaching in a local primary school as I felt it was time for a change.” She comments.

“I have always enjoyed being creative and creating the memo boards began as a request from a friend and by word of mouth, things just snowballed. I wanted to create a board that was lightweight and an accessible price for everyone. There seemed to be many on the market that are heavy and at times pricey.”

Janet approached the company with her memo boards and they were eager to commission something unique for their Best of British range. Pearson comments: “The memo boards, ticked many boxes for us; they are made in Britain; are handcrafted and look fantastic – they are a perfect fit for our customers.

“We asked Janet to produce an exclusive series that are British inspired, incorporating the Union Jack colour scheme. We are extremely pleased with the finished products.”

The Best of British range has now launched on the Roman at Home website (www.romanathome) and incorporates well-known brands, such as Cath Kidston, Wax Lyrical and Melt Candles, along with a collection of Diamond Jubilee memorabilia and these unique products from Shaw and Deane.