A Scholar Green businesswoman is celebrating a special birthday today - the seventh birthday of her business!

Talented Emma Semper Hopkins moved her business, Semper Hopkins Upholstery & Interiors, into the Old Kent Green Methodist Chapel in 2016.

The building dates back to 1892 and Emma and her father Ian, carefully renovated the building, making it into the bustling workshop it is today.

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She set up the business whilst on maternity leave after giving birth to her son Alfie, first working from a room in the family home making custom-made furniture.

But when the former primitive methodist chapel came up for sale, Emma and her family jumped at the chance of buying it and the rest is history.

Today the former senior commercial manager is helping others to learn the skills needed to make their own furniture and equip themselves with knowledge for life.

"I've always made my own curtains and enjoyed creative things," said the mother-of-one who went on to do an interior design course.

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"I wasn't looking to change careers. It just happened. I find this work therapeutic and I love teaching others new skills."

Emma runs a series of courses at the stunning chapel which has reclaimed wooden tables and is the perfect setting for a craft workshop.

"Time is so precious. I've designed courses for people to complete a project in a day."

Emma has launched a course starting at 9.30 am and running until 2.45 pm for those who have other commitments.

"These are great for anyone dropping off children at school and would like to learn a new skills in between.

(Photo: Alsager Nub News)

"I want to equip people with skills they can use for life. It could be about upcycling a piece of charity shop furniture or reusing something and giving it a new look."

Originally from Bedale in North Yorkshire, Emma completed a university degree in Business and a Masters in Marketing, before entering a career in food retail.

She worked her way up to become a senior commercial manager at the Co-op, before leaving in 2017 to pursue her love of upholstery.

"Upholstery gives you the opportunity to tap into your creative side. To shut off the noise and the chaos of everyday life and make something you can be proud of," she added.

The business runs a range of courses, all detailed on their website, https://shupholstery.co.uk/upholstery-workshops/ and recently launched their 'introduction to upholstery' workshop.

"Seeing the sense of fulfilment and joy that clients get from making a piece of furniture from a set of materials is what I love the most about our workshops.

"They start off the day thinking they don't have the relevant skills. By the end, they walk away elated with what they have made. There is a huge sense of achievement for them and for me," says Emma.     

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