TAVISTOCK retailer Fairway Furniture had such a response last week to the start of its refurbishment grand sale that its managing director apologised for the traffic congestion it caused in parts of the town.

Managing director Peter Harding said the response was unprecedented in the 156 years the family-owned company had been trading.

'We had long queues outside the store from well before we opened and we would like to put on record our apologies to anyone caught up in the traffic congestion surrounding the store as a result.'

The company is investing more than £400,000 in a major refurbishment programme at the store, to bring an updated new look together with more showroom space.

It will also significantly reduce the store's carbon footprint by installing low energy lighting systems and solar renewable energy generating solutions – all supplied by West Devon businesses.

The store will remain open during the refurbishment works.