AN award-winning vintage fashion store in Newquay is set to expand thanks to start up loan support.

Love of Lemons has relocated to a larger brand new unit in Nansledan after receiving £12,000 funding from the British Business Bank’s Start-Up Loans programme.

The business first opened its doors in Nansledan in 2021, after owner and former teacher Bex Osman finally realised a lifelong dream of running her own fashion business.

Back then, she successfully applied for a start-up loan through British Business Bank and was able to turn her online store into her own shop, full of hand-picked, one-off vintage pieces, alongside sustainable and unique brands of clothing and accessories. Love of Lemons soon built up a loyal customer base and this year, Bex decided she could branch out.

She applied for the further start-up loan and has just moved Love of Lemons to the larger brand new unit in Nansledan, with plans to open a sister store in the same complex, called Love of Vintage, later this summer.

Both units have been built by the Duchy of Cornwall, which is developing Nansledan as a sustainable extension to Newquay. Bex, who worked as a stylist and buyer when she left her teaching career and has always had a passion for vintage clothing, said: “I’m really loving what I’m doing and I felt the time had come to give Love of Lemons a bit of a twist.

“This move will be something new and exciting for all the lovely customers who have supported me on my journey so far.” Bex says she wouldn’t have considered taking her business to the next level without the start-up loan. She is full of praise for the scheme, which includes 12 months of free mentoring to help new firms succeed.

“The whole process teaches you so much about business that you wouldn’t necessarily know,” said Bex.

“I can buy clothes really easily, that’s not an issue, but I don’t come from a business background. This scheme makes you sit down and look at the numbers side of things in real detail.

“It also boosts your confidence because you feel as though someone else believes in what you’re doing.”

Bex said Love of Lemons had been updated with a rich and atmospheric vibe including darker colours and moody lighting, and would feature a combination of new brands and hand-picked vintage pieces. Her new venture, Love of Vintage, will be more of an emporium, with lots of pure vintage stock and a more industrial feel.

“I’m excited about what’s to come,” said Bex. “I can’t wait to share this with everyone.”

Start-up loans are a government-backed scheme from the British Business Bank available to people looking to start or grow a business in the UK. It offers unsecured loans of up to £25,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6 per cent, repayable over one to five years. Find out more at startuploans.co.uk