ELECTRICAL items were flying off the shelves of a new and exciting showroom that had its grand opening on Bank Holiday Monday.

Among the crowds impressed with the wide range of competitively priced white goods, wide-screen televisions, speakers and home gadgets at Smithie LED – Lighting & Electrical appliance Depot, was the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Dan Putty, and his Mayoress wife Julie.

The depot, in Morse Road, on the West Ham Industrial Estate, is the latest venture for Shane Hilden, managing director of successful IT distribution firm Smithie UK.

Clearly delighted with how the grand opening went, Shane said: “I think it went very well – lots of people have come through the doors.

“This is a long-term thing. I hope we’ll turn this into a nice booming business. If we can get enough footfall and make enough sales, then I can reinvest the money back into the business.”

The showroom, which also show-cases washing machines, fridges and kitchen appliances, has already led to the creation of six new jobs with the potential for more.

“If I can create another six jobs then to me, that makes it worth-while doing,” said Shane. “At the moment everyone has been working hard to cover all the hours, including staff that work for me on the other side of the business, who have been stepping in and helping.”

Shane originally set up his IT distribution business 11 years ago in the garage of his Old Basing home.

Now the business has a turnover of £22million, and this is projected to reach £27m next year.

The idea to open the Lighting & Electrical appliance Depot stems from when Shane wanted to extend his LED light showroom at his Morse Road premises.