Hello I’m Christy and one of Bailey Paints newest staff members. After a very difficult year running my own photography business during the pandemic, I started working for Bailey Paints in November 2020. The job is a part-time sales and marketing support role and I am delighted to discover that this is the 5^th consecutive year Bailey Paints has sponsored Stroud Book Festival.

Christy’s Gran on the steps of her library van

Books have always been an important part of my life. My granny was a librarian and in the 90’s she drove the library van around Gloucestershire schools and small Cotswold villages. I have the fondest memories of her coming through the door with a fresh stack of books for me to read.

I continue to love reading as an adult and historic and thriller fiction are my favourite type of books. I loved reading “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah and “I Let You Go” by Clare Mackintosh.

I joined Bailey Paints at the point where it had been an extremely busy few months. As we know COVID-19 has affected many businesses and during the pandemic the demand for paint increased hugely.

Bailey Paints worked really hard to support customers throughout this time. Even the task of choosing colours was a challenge when the shop closed during lockdown. So we posted colour charts out free of charge and offered free local home delivery for many weeks.

Thankfully now the shop is now fully open for browsing. Whilst I have been working for Bailey’s I have noticed the time people spend choosing colours. It makes me feel even more strongly that a house means more than bricks and mortar. It’s your happy place to relax and unwind in, and where so many memories are created. It’s a place to retreat from the outside world when you need to, as well as a base to go out and explore from. But the pandemic has changed the way we live and work. It’s meant that your home has also become an office, a home gym, a school at times as well as a place to kick back, unwind and pick up a book.

 We have noticed over the last year how the pandemic has even influenced colour selection. Where greys and white were chosen for walls, there is now a trend to pick colours that are warmer, earthier tones that will make you feel like you are getting a hug!

We are proud at how we adapted and helped our customers during the pandemic. Everyone at Bailey Paints would like to say thank you for supporting us. If you would like to come in to store to browse you can or you can order over the phone 01453 882237 or via our website www.baileypaints.co.uk Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BaileyPaintsLtd  and Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/baileypaintsltd/ we will be having fun on our social media accounts celebrating the book festival.