Long-standing family business JC Williams (Furnishers of Helston) has announced plans to expand next year in its 60th anniversary year.

Managing director Robert Williams has also taken on three staff members from fellow town furnishing store Oliver & Son, which closes at the end of this month.

Clive Richards, Bridget Parker and Les Reynolds will all join the team |at JC Williams, bringing their knowledge and experience in the trade with them.

The current JC Williams showroom at 10 Meneage Street, which already sells a range of furniture, accessories, carpets and soft furnishings over three floors, is to expand into the shop next door, currently filled by the Joy Williams Baby and Nursery Department, part of the same family business.

It means the store can take on some of the brands Oliver & Son stocked, such as Vi-Spring, Dunlopillo, Parker Knoll and Cintique, as well as offer a wider choice of carpets, curtains and blinds.

Robert Williams said 2015 was set to be a “great year” for the business, saying: “As this will be our 60th anniversary of successful trading in Helston, what better way to celebrate than to take the store toward a bigger, brighter future?

“On hearing the news that Oliver & Son were closing their doors at the end of November I felt it was a golden opportunity for us to capture some of their established custom in the locality as well as to take on some of their very experienced and respected staff.”

Mr Williams said to make room for the expansion project, Joy Williams Baby and Nursery Department would cease trading on December 31 in the next-door premises, and the furnishing business would move sideways to absorb this space.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often, so this is absolutely the right time.

“We look forward to becoming one of the largest home furnishers in the South West, promising quality while catering for all budgets, whether first-time buyers, families, retirees or second-home owners. We are here for everyone,” he added.

JC Williams and the new team plans to have the new showroom up and running by mid-January.