#LoveLiveLocal at Corwen with Vintage Home Styles Emporium and cafe

Buying antique and second-hand furniture this Christmas can help the environment and add an element of style, says one Denbighshire trader.

Carole Derbyshire-Styles has owned Corwen’s Vintage Home Styles Emporium for the last six years, offering a wealth of antique and vintage furniture and homeware.

After a period of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Carole expanded her original shop and moved into larger premises on London Road which now includes a café.

As well as an expanded range of items, Carole holds a monthly market on the first Sunday of each month providing space for furniture dealers, crafts people as well as a beautician and a personal trainer with the next event on December 5.

Former Ysbyty Glan Clwyd nurse Carole said: “I have always been interested in furniture buying and selling, I started going to auctions with my father when I lived in Liverpool.

“I moved to Corwen 31 years ago with a 10 day old baby and a 4 year old. We were building our own house and had little money, but I started going to auctions to buy furniture for the house and I just carried on.

“Once the girls had left home I realised it was time to follow my dream and open my shop and Vintage Home Styles Emporium was born.

“At Vintage Home Styles Emporium we offer a destination for people to come to browse good quality antiques, vintage furniture, homeware and crafts as well as offering a comfortable place to meet friends, have a coffee or lunch and a chat.”

Carole is supporting the #LoveLiveLocal campaign being run by Denbighshire County Council, with the aim of encouraging more people to support local businesses and shop local this winter.

Carole said buying antique and vintage furniture and gifts can have a positive impact on climate change.

She said: “Recycling plays a big part in my business, upcycling and reusing furniture so it doesn’t go in the ground plays a big part in my work ethos.

“Not only does buying antique and vintage items give your home its own unique style, it keeps items away from landfill and in use, reducing the need for new products to be made and avoids the greenhouse gas emissions created through the production, packaging, transportation and disposal of these new products.”

Vintage Home Styles Emporium is one of a number of local independent traders across Denbighshire and Carole is encouraging shoppers to visit the county’s towns this Christmas.

She said: “I love telling people about Corwen, the lovely walks and places to visit like the museum, the steam train and all the history around Corwen. There are lots of fantastic shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs here, after the last 18 months it is really important we have the support of local people this winter. Find out more about Corwen. Or download our town trail here.

“Shopping locally gives local traders such a boost and helps support our economy and jobs right here in Denbighshire. I’d encourage people across the county to visit their local town and see what is on offer.”