New venture for Oakes

CHRIS Oakes, the founder of high-end house builder Huntsmere, has launched a new interior design studio in Alderley Edge called Hunter & Belle.

It was initially set up to provide an interior design service to Huntsmere clients.

The business has a team of six designers headed by Lorraine Warwick-Ellis and Anna Marczynski.

Mr Oakes said, “The addition of an interior design service was warmly welcomed by Huntsmere’s clients and now the Hunter & Belle team looking to build her own independent client base.

“The beauty of the showroom is that we can cater for all markets and people can pop in to pick up a single item of furniture or lighting, for example, but can also get the team’s expert advice on transforming a room or whole property.”

Mr Oakes was also involved in the upmarket student accommodation business Vita, but parted company with co-founder Mark Stott in October.