Rob Santwris Carpets celebrated its 25th anniversary of business this week. NICHOLAS THOMAS met the family to find out more about their place in the city's community.

A SELF-employed carpet fitter and his family celebrated 25 years of trade in the city on Friday (October 26).

Rob Santwris owns the Lower Dock Street-based carpet company which bears his name.

A firm believer in maintaining a good reputation, he said a business could only be as good as its customers said it was.

"Our reputation is that we always give good service," he said at the 25th anniversary celebrations. "We’re never off the clock, and we're always looking after people.

"It doesn’t matter how tired you are or if you’re off duty – if someone comes up to you and says they want carpets, you have to react because it’s your name on the door."

Mr Santwris started out in the trade because he had aspirations of becoming his own boss.

In the early days, before he obtained his driving licence, Mr Santwris travelled to customers' homes on his bike, telling them his car had broken down to avoid embarrassment.

These days, he runs a family operation, with his daughters, Jade and Katie, and his son-in-law all part of the team.

That family connection is important, according to one of his pleased customers, Pillgwenlly ward councillor Tracey Holyoake.

"He couldn’t be beaten on price or quality," she said. "I'm over the moon with the service, and the fact it’s a family business is phenomenal because there’s a personal touch – that's something you don’t get very much any more.

"The whole family works together and that’s unique in this day and age."

Newport's deputy mayor and mayoress, Phil and Merille Hourahine, also stopped by to join the festivities, arriving in a classic car loaned to the Santwris family by Roger Thompson, owner of the neighbouring company, Pegasus Whirlpool Baths.

Mr Santwris is also a big Newport County fan, and several players, past and present, joined in the anniversary celebrations at the company's city centre shop.

"I’ve been on the board of the County twice over the years," he said.

"One of my favourite County players of all time, Roddy Jones, who played for the County in the seventies, is here, so that’s made my day."

A keen DJ in his spare time, Mr Santwris said he would be sponsoring an upcoming Christmas party for the football club's players and fans – something he hopes will increase the sense of community around the club.

"It’s ok having games of football, but you’ve got to have a good social scene," he said.

Looking to the future, Mr Santwris is optimistic Newport will be able to thrive.

"I'll just keep on doing what im doing – the city’s been brilliant to me, and I love the city," he said.

"The biggest thing for me is that we’ve been bypassed for the last 20-30 years and hopefully now we can play catch-up, but that needs everybody from the city to get involved.

"We’ve lived in the shadow of Cardiff and Bristol for too long, so now’s the time for Newport to re-light itself."