Retro Chimps encourage customers to take a step back in time and create the wow factor

Steve Kay and Hughie Brennan opened Retro Chimps ten years ago, specialising in custom shop fitting, interior design and signage.

This week, our Trader of the Week feature looks at the talented twosome and here, Steve, who grew up in St Helens, and Hughie, who has lived here for 20 years, tell us what it’s like working with Johnny Vegas and why they decided to take a step back in time when they opened their business.

What’s the name of the business?

Retro Chimps

What’s the address?

8 Chalon Way, Industrial Estate, St Helens, WA10 1AU

Retro Chimps headquarters

When did you open the business?

We started in 2012

Has it always been in the same location?

No, we moved to Chalon Way in 2017 as we needed bigger premises due to larger jobs.

Tell us a bit about your business

We are a design and fit business based in St Helens. We offer a variety of services to both business and domestic clients, primarily in the northwest, but we have worked across the UK.

The new bar at The Bard in Prescot

What do you do? What services do you provide?

We are specialists in custom shop fitting, interior design and signage. However, we do offer bespoke furniture. We also sell Retro Chimps merchandise. Last year, we featured in Johnny Vegas’ television show Carry on Glamping on Channel 4 and we’ve recently been filming for the second series.

Why did you decide to open your own business?

Retro Chimps was born out of an idea to take people out of the present day and back to simpler times of BMXs, Star Wars and Action Man, as well as other great products from the 1970s and 1980s. We started making light up frames which housed action figures from the two decades and started supplying t-shirts and mugs to local businesses.

Retro Chimps showroom

What’s your business background?

Hughie: I come from a music background and made a living as a singer before starting Retro Chimps. I’m still actively gigging.

Steve: I come from a graphic design background as well as working in the motor industry and building industry.

Why this type of business?

It's a very satisfying business due to the creativity required with custom builds. No two jobs are the same, which keeps us on our toes. We’re always learning when do each job.

A bespoke Mr and Mr Jones cabinet

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

Like the rest of the planet, Covid-19 had an adverse effect on the business. Around 90% of our jobs dropped off. We tried to keep as busy as we could and luckily got some funding and a loan which helped us through.

What sets your business apart from your competitors?

We offer a service specific to customers’ needs. It's all about the wow factor and creating talking points. A lot of hard work goes into each project, providing our clients with something specific every time.

A metalwork guitar

Why do loyal customers return to your business?

They know they can trust us to either bring their vision to life or help them realise what's best for their business going forward, from an aesthetic point of view as well as a practical one.

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your business?

We will be doing more garden bars and pubs. Some of these are bigger than the micro pubs we've fitted out. We're just finishing a garden sauna inside a horsebox. There’s more filming with Johnny Vegas as well as a new business venture called Retro Vegas, which is coming very soon!

Retroc Chimps worked on Carry on Glamping with Johnny Vegas

If you want to appear in our Trader of the Week feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Read more: 

• The workshop dating back four generations that makes amazing creations
• The book shop aiming to improve literacy and get everyone reading for enjoyment

The Wine Club in Rainhill