A MUM’S ironing business has grown so much she has opened a shop – next door to her husband’s.

Ellen and Rob Grice have been married for 22 years, but when Ellen’s ironing business needed to expand, it just so happened that the shop next door to Rob’s barbers became available.

The mum-of-two started Iron Maiden a year ago and decided to make the risky move to Chapel Street in Leigh, after she became so busy she was forced to turn customers away.

She said: “I only intended to do it part-time from home but it has proved so popular I’ve had to expand, and I am going to start doing dry cleaning and washing, too. It has been amazing how well the business has done.

“It is really convenient being next door to Rob because he is open until 6.30pm, but I have to close at 5pm to deliver the clothes back.

It means that if people want to drop stuff off after work, they can pop them into Rob and he can leave them in the shop.”

Rob, aged 42, owns The Barber Shop, the oldest barbers in Leigh. He has run it for 23 of its 100-year history.

Ellen, who lives with Rob and their two children on Winchester Avenue in Astley, added: “I’ve never run my own business before but it is great being able to have a coffee whenever you want.”