When the BBC’s new series ‘All Over the Shop’ hits the television screens next week, one Cardiff family will be watching very closely for ‘signs’ of their participation.

Husband and wife team John and Suzannah Gilson, who own the FASTSIGNS® business on Cowbridge Road East, together with their son Daniel, a graphic designer, were approached by the BBC to produce new fascia signs and window graphics during filming of the new programme.

‘All Over the Shop’, in which retail guru Geoff Burch helps struggling independent shops turn business around, focused on Absolutly (sic) Fabulous, a bridalwear shop on Station Road, Rainbow Toys and Café in Llandaff and the Albany Road Aquarium & Pet Centre.  The programmes reveal how Geoff, who has previously worked with the world’s leading blue chip companies, helps small businesses improve and sustain a profitable operation.

John and Suzannah, whose business supplies an extensive range of signage including indoor and outdoor banners and vehicle graphics, had just 10 days to fulfil the order – and this had to include everything from the initial consultation with two of the shops and the programme makers, to the complete design and production of the signs.

“It’s the first time that we’ve ever been involved with anything like this,” explained Suzannah, who will celebrate FASTSIGNS Cardiff’s 10th anniversary this year.  “When we were first approached by the BBC we didn’t quite know what to expect, but we decided to go for it straight away.

“It was great fun to think that we were actually involved in the making of a television programme, even if we did only have minor roles!” she added.

The first episode of All Over the Shop, featuring John and Suzannah, will be broadcast on BBC 2 at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 21st October 2008.  The half hour programme is one of a series of eight.