Isle of Wight shop run by couple opens above Ryde restaurant

Kelly Murdoch, from St Helens, has gone from being house bound to opening Ztam & Co with husband, Dee.

Featuring a range of local produce and work from over 70 artists and crafters, the store is based above Island restaurant, The Duck, on Appley Rise.

Kelly, 43, and Dee, 51, have always dreamed of opening their own shop, even running a 'successful' pop up in Newport for five weeks in 2015.

But Kelly, who was born with Spina Bifida, said her health took a turn for the worst the following year and "life just wasn't the same".

She was diagnosed with syringomyelia - a condition which sees a large cyst sit on her spinal cord and risks paralysing her, and Chiari malformation - in which the lower part of her brain pushes down on her spinal cord.

But last year she started new treatment and says it has "changed her life."

She said: "I still have to not over do it and rely on my husband and family for a lot of help, but it’s a better life than say this time last year. "

From left: Charlie and Helen, owners of the Duck, and Kelly and Dee. (Image: Ztam & Co)

After being offered the opportunity to take over the space above The Duck, by restaurant owners Helen and Charlie, Kelly and Dee jumped at the chance. 

Ztam & Co opened its doors for the first time on Saturday, March 23.

Opening day saw more than 100 people visit and Cllr Michael Lilley cut the ribbon.

A raffle and a treadmill challenge was also held, raising more than £600 for the Isle of Wight Spina Bifida society and the Hollie Gazzard Trust. 

From original pieces of artwork to sea glass and greeting cards, the shop sells a variety of products.

There are also plans for it to become a community hub for crafters and artists and in the near future, Kelly wants to run different sessions, including on how to manage conditions and pain relief. 

Kelly said: "Always follow your dreams because one day they may just come true."