CARPET shop owners Ian and Carol Wright floored customers with the shock news they were rolling up their business.

The couple have run Wright Flooring from their Tankerton Road shop for 14 years. But they decided to call it a day and try something new.

Ian, 51, said: "Since we closed at Christmas we've had cards and notes through the door from customers.

"The industry is up and down but we had a lot of repeat business and were well supported. We were certainly not victims of the recession.

"We had regulars who kept coming back. We'd like to thank everyone for their support."

He added: "The lease for the premises was coming up for renewal so we decided to take a break and do something completely new rather than sign up for another three years.

"It was time to move on. I have been in the carpet trade for 32 years, and that is a long time."

He would not reveal what the new business venture is but his wife Carol said: "It's exciting."

The couple, who live in Tankerton, were known for creating colourful window displays with carpet off-cuts and entered Whitstable carnival on carpet-themed floats.

Carol, 51, said: "We started the displays the first Christmas we were in the shop.

"I wanted to make something for the window and wondered if I could make a teddy bear from carpet. I ended up making six.

"I put them in an auction for the Kent Air Ambulance and raised £200. It escalated from there. We had such a great reaction to the window displays we decided to enter the carnival."

She teamed up with her niece, face-painter Michelle Yarrow from Medway, and created a party-themed float in 2010.

It featured a pirate's parrot and champagne bottle, both made from stitched carpet.

Last year they created a safari float. Both entries won first place.