A SOUTH Lakeland family business has unveiled a new look to mark its 40th anniversary.

Kirkstone Galleries has invested £200,000 in a complete refurbishment of its store at Skelwith Bridge, near Ambleside, and changed its name to Touchstone Interiors.

The firm, which has an annual turnover of £1 million, opted for a new identity to reflect its growing home furnishings business.

While the business started out selling Kirkstone green slate, its central theme in recent years has become contemporary furniture and furnishings for the home. It can count Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman among its 200,000 customers a year.

London retail design firm Rawls & Co came up with the concept for the new-look shop, based in an old bobbin mill, and Langdale-based contractor Colwith Interiors and electrical contractor Roy Dixon of Grasmere helped to complete the project in only three weeks.

The business has built its reputation by showcasing items for the home such as Indonesian pebble tiles, stone hand basins sourced from Turkey, and striking Scandinavian oiled oak furniture. It is also distributor for the Kirkstone range of limestone, slate and granite for kitchens, bathrooms and floors throughout the home.

The business was started by Harry Fecitt in 1964 to sell green slate fireplaces and tables, sourced from the quarry which he reopened. His daughter, Liz, has been in charge of the company since 1972.

She said: "Kirkstone Galleries was originally the home of Kirkstone green slate and for 35 years our name served us well. But now that our central theme has become contemporary furniture and furnishings, our identity has changed.

"The word touchstone' means setting a standard and our aim is to become widely known for our quality, originality and good design interiors."

She revealed plans for the future include starting the firm's own interior design service, paint range and website sales.

To coincide with the move, Touchstone has recruited staff, including new buyer Vikki Coutts.

Business Link for Cumbria helped Touchstone to secure a £21,000 grant towards the cost of refurbishment and rebranding, and the revamped store opened last month.