INDIA is still considered one of the last places travellers can visit for an authentic experience of a culture that is very different from our own.

The only way to describe it to newcomers is as an attack on the senses.

Toby and Rajshree Haines-Patel decided they wanted to bring a taste of India back to the UK – but not in the traditional sense of opening a restaurant.

The couple’s new business, Little India Boutique, based near Thame, was inspired through their travels in the South Asian sub-continent and is an online retail shop, selling a range of soft furnishings for the home along with delicate hand-made and decorated Polti bags, to a traditional design dating back many centuries.

“We have travelled India over the years and were inspired by all the colours and beautiful textiles,” said Mrs Haines-Patel.

“On all our previous visits, we had always thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice to bring some of this back with us’.

So last year, when we were visiting for a few months, we said ‘let’s do it’.”

The couple have so far sold 50 of their products and have now reached profitability after making an initial investment in the business of just £5,000.

The best-selling products so far at Little India Boutique’s website are the firm’s vintage one-of-a-kind ‘kantha’ throws.

“Our kantha throws are for people who like products with a story,” said Mrs Haines-Patel.

“Women in India often keep some of their favourite saris and sow them together with what is called a kantha stitch.

“Most of the throws that we stock are from the 1960s and 1970s and every single one is different.”

Business sales have been positive so far but retailing soft furnishings online poses problems, said Mr Haines Patel.

He said: “With materials and fabrics, people want to touch it first and see how it feels and how it looks.

“That’s why our pop-up events are important to us.

“We love speaking to customers and we are happy to visit people’s homes to show them how our products look.”

Mr Haines-Patel said: “At the moment buying or renting premises to set up a shop would be too costly for us. “We think online is the best way forward – with a view to perhaps opening a shop some time in the future.

“We recently did some pop-up events around Oxfordshire, including one at Oxford’s Organic Deli Cafe, but apart from that, we are online only.

“We’ve been trying to find places to hold pop-up shops in the Oxford area, but it has been very difficult,” he added.

“It would be good to get a market stall.”