A family-run computer shop in the heart of Newport is celebrating 30 years in business today (Monday).
Computer Plus, which is run by 79-year-old Ken Hartill and his 49-year-old son Matt Hartill, first opened its doors on Scarrots Lane on 5th December 1992.
Ken had originally run his business on the lane from the Old Central Market building, starting in 1989. He first came to the Isle of Wight in 1960 and worked at Plessey before starting his own business, which has flourished over the past 3 decades and has survived numerous changes in the market.
Speaking to Island Echo about their success, Ken and Matt Hartill have said:
“At one time, we were an internet café. Now, we’ve only got 3 machines. But some people still don’t have smart phones. Our printing and scanning services remain very busy as not everyone has access to a printer.
“When we started in the early 90s, Omega, Commodore 64 and Sega were the favourites. The games everyone liked were Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario. After this, came Playstation and Nintendo.
“We’ve gone out of the games market now though. We’ve had to diversify. The big High Street Stores have undercut us. And kids buy online.
“We now specialise in refurbished laptops and PCs. People can’t afford to buy new so we sell machines from £99 upwards.
“Our refurbished stock is good, cheap and reliable. All our laptops are ex-corporate: from councils, the NHS and colleges. We pile it high and sell it cheap.
“We try try to be fair and do as much as we can and go above and beyond for the customer. Our internet and printing prices have not gone up since 2006.
“We don’t have any staff. We keep it all in the family.”
Finally, we asked Matt and Ken whether they had had any famous customers or ‘strange’ requests. Ken said:
“Geoffrey Hughes (the actor) once bought a PC here.”
Matt said:
“A lady once gave us a black and white document and asked us to make a colour copy”.
Excellent little independent shop, I remember going in there and buying many of the old games way back in the Amstrad and Amiga days. Always helpful. Congratulations to you both.
I wouldn’t go anywhere else .I fully recommend Ken and Matt to everybody , they know their stuff, a genuine family , any advice they are the two to ask . Well done Ken and Matt for your services.
Great Service would recommend
Well done gentlemen.