Shoppers visiting furniture chain Harveys can expect a new look from next Easter, according to the group's owner Homestyle group, writes David Duffy.

Homestyle, formerly called Rosebys, snapped up the 275-strong Harveys Furnishing chain, which has a branch in Botley Road, Oxford, in the summer.

It is converting 56 of them to its Rosebys, Bensons, Fabric Warehouse and Knightingales formats.

Chief executive Michael Rosenblatt said the group was carrying out market research on the Harveys stores and the remaining chain could expect to see some fresh, contemporary products emerge next year.

The new look will try to pull in younger customers, although Mr Rosenblatt emphasised he did not want to alienate Harveys traditional older shoppers.

The comments came as Homestyle posted a rise in turnover during the last half year to September 2, up to 154.2m against 98.3m last time.

The rise was on the back of its buys last year of 113 Decorative Holding Company stores and of the Fabric Warehouse chain.