A co-founder of TV shopping channel Sit-up has launched a new stationery chain, Blott.

Chris Manson opened the first store in Tunbridge Wells last month. A store in Guildford is to open in June with another in London by the end of the summer.

Manson said he would look at opening more shops in towns in the Southeast if the initial stores were a success. Manson, formerly managing director, commercial, at Chelsea Football Club, said: “There’s a gap in the market for a design-led stationery retailer targeted at the aspirational class. If we can make it work now we’ll be well placed when the recovery comes.” 

Blott will launch transactional website Blottshop.com later this month. The brand designs and manufactures its own product.

Manson, who sold Sit-up to Virgin Media for £194m in 2005, is funding Blott.

Property agent twentyretail acts for the retailer.

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