A KENDAL man has quit his full-time job and moved his online business into the town's pop-up shop.

In November last year the Gazette reported how Stu Pearce was making a name for himself by selling his designs across the world after starting an online fashion store - 54 Floral Clothing - to pay off his student debts.

But now the 26-year-old has decided to try his luck in the Finkle Street store, which is run by South Lakeland District Council and offers businesses the chance of high street trading without a long-term commitment, until July 18.

"It's always been an idea to see what the brand could look like in store," said the Newcastle University junior industrial design graduate, who used to work as an assistant buyer with fashion retailer Jules B.

"Creating brand awareness locally also comes with having a shop which a website can't re-create the same way. Plus you target shoppers who aren't online savvy or cautious of buying over the web.

"Hopefully I will get a new customer base with passing trade and it will provide me with market research for the future."

He added: "We have had the guys from Geordie Shore, footballer Andy Carroll and Calum Best wearing the stock in the last couple of weeks which has seen the brand grow."

Visit www.54floralclothing.co.uk.