Barry Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these businesses and organisations in a feature called 'Up Close in Barry'.

This week we spoke Debbie Burton-Slocombe, the owner of Apsirations UK.

After being stuck inside for the most part of a year, how often do you find yourself looking at rooms in your house and wondering what needs a revamp?

Last Easter, many of us picked up a paintbrush or a drill and took on some renovations we'd been meaning to get to, but never had the time.

At Aspirations UK, Debbie Burton-Slocombe showcases a range of painted furniture, industrial furniture, home decor, and personal gifts, as well as stocking the environmentally-friendly Frenchic chalk paint.

She's also ready to help Barry residents, taking on commission work, offering design and style advice, and to lend her ears to any customers struggling with isolation in lockdown.

"I will admit that I've suffered with depression and I've got anxiety problems," Debbie told Nub News.

"I think people appreciate that because they'll open up more themselves. We need to talk and not feel alone. A lot of customers will come in just for chat.

"That's the thing with independent shops. They become your friends."

Debbie first opened Aspirations UK six and a half years ago, and was based on High Street for four, before moving to Broad Street a year ago.

She started her upcycling business after gaining the skills by renovating her own furniture to save money.

"I was a lone parent so I was trying to pay mortgage by myself. I couldn't afford to go out and buy brand new furniture," said Debbie.

"So, I started upcycling and then I opened a store in the flea market.

"I saw an advert for Frenchic paint and applied to become a stockist and it literally went from there.

"Frenchic sales went through the rood during lockdown, and I've been a stockist for six years.

"I had purposefully kept my stock low, but I didn't have a tin of paint on the shelf!"

"Anybody and everybody was upcycling. People were renovating their outside spaces, and then as it got colder, moved to their indoor rooms."

But with the boom in sales, there have also been struggles. Snap lockdown announcements means Debbie has missed out on the crucial holiday selling periods and she's also noticing supply chain issues.

"I'm struggling to get certain stock from suppliers because of what's going on. It was bad enough last year but it's worse now because of Brexit as well," she said.

"Then there was the Christmas lockdown. Christmas is the best time for everybody and lots of people were about to come in the week before to browse for gifts.

"I understand why it happened, but to not give anybody any notice, I don't think it was fair. It's the not knowing.

"Then now, the whole reason they stopped supermarkets from selling non-essentials is to support small businesses, but now they're able to. None of it makes sense.

"This is why people are getting fed up. Just tell us where we stand."

Adapting to the changes, customers can get products delivered from the Aspirations UK website but can also click and collect in store.

"Some people like to shop online, but not everybody. A lot of my customers prefer to come in and have a look," said Debbie.

"They've been amazing, absolutely amazing. They've become good friends.

"There's quite a few of us that suffer with our mental health. I think we all help each other out."

Debbie's genuine and approachable nature means that even those most intimidated by interior decorating will be able to transform their homes.

"People tend to bring in a wallpaper or material and then I'll help choose colours for them," she explained.

"That's why I've got the wooden spoons on the counter here painted.

"Customers will come and say 'right I'm definitely going for grey', and they've left with a green or yellow paint.

"I also do a lot of commission work for customers, and once everything starts to get better I'll take the home styling further."

Visit Aspirations UK via the website and Facebook page.