PEOPlE

A huge line in Linen

Introducing the new owners of the Funny Dutch Bar in Tavira; Dea and Robert-Jan

This month we are delighted to introduce Kath and Mike from the impressive Linen Warehouse in Almancil, who were kind enough to show us around, and share with us the story of how their business and home began here in the Algarve. Kath and Mike are both originally from the Rochdale area, and had visited the Algarve, mainly around the Albufeira area for many years, to holiday and visit friends. They decided to look for a property to renovate and after a chance meeting in 2006 found the ideal place in Silves. Both gave up their respective jobs, Mike a plumber and Kath the manager for Dunnes stores, an Irish department store based in Salford, Manchester, they began the restoration of their new home. After 6 months Kath felt that the building environment, wasn’t for her, so she decided she would look for a full time job, whilst Mike pressed ahead with the restoration work. Kath applied for a job at Yorkshire Linen, who were at the time due to open a new store in Almancil. They offered her the opportunity to manage their new shop, and two years later asked Mike and Kath if they would like to buy the business. Kath explained “It was a great opportunity but felt it wasn’t in the greatest of locations", so began looking for a new site. They found the ideal unit on the roundabout in Almancil, and set about the necessary alterations. After 3 weeks of very hard work they opened the doors on the 9th January 2010. Linen Warehouse offers a truly extensive choice with brand named pillows now half price. All of their new winter warm range is now in stock including microfiber cellular blankets, elec-

tric blankets, flannelette sheets and fleecy under blankets to give more warmth and comfort for the cool winter months. There is a huge choice of duvets, polyfilled, duck, goose feather down, or pure duck down, as well as goose down, all duvets and pillows are fully washable (even the feather). Towels are available in many colours and weight’s. There is still an ongoing global cotton crisis which has forced prices up, as well as the last increase in IVA but Linen Warehouse has managed to hold prices down, due to the huge amount of stock they already have. There are some end of line duvet covers, bedspreads and cushions with 25% off and also some really good value budget priced luxury ranges with co-ordinating cushions & bedspreads. Kath and Mike are looking forward to the new Spring and Summer collection, arriving in mid March. You can visit them at their website www. linenwarehousealgarve.com or contact them at linenwarehouse@sapo. pt. Orders can be taken and any order over 150€ can be delivered FREE. Online shopping is available on their website. www.linenwarehouse.com Many congratulations to Kath and Mike as they have recently got married at their home with over 70 family and friends visitning from the UK. You can find Linen Warehouse in Almancil on the roundabout past Apolonia travelling West, Estrada de Vale de Eguas Tel 289 396 385 Open 10-6 Mon –Fri and 10-5 on Sat. They don’t close for lunch and there is plenty of parking at the front. For details see there advert on page 26. We wish them all the best for the future it was a pleasure to meet them both.