Specialist mattress store Dreams staged its official opening on Saturday.

Dreams is located in the lower level of the Washington Mall and is owned by Ben Wilson, who said he launched the venture in response to popular demand for such a store in a central location.

Mr Wilson and his family run Big Savings Zone, a furniture store in Southside, St David’s.

“Women would come into the store — this is a women-driven market after all — and say that it’s difficult for them for find the time to come out to St David’s with their husband and it would be easier if there were a central location,” Mr Wilson said.

The store allows shoppers to try out a dozen different mattresses and order what works for them. Mr Wilson describes it as “Bermuda’s first mattress gallery”.

Dreams specialises in all items to do with sleep, including beds, pillows and sheets. Its different mattresses include those with pocketed coils and others with memory foam, plus the hybrid, which Mr Wilson says provides “the best of both worlds”.

Dreams has an exclusive deal with Serta, a major mattress brand in the US which uses counting sheep in its commercials. A 6ft 6in tall sheep was one of the eye-catching features of Saturday’s grand opening.

Commenting on the furniture market, Mr Wilson said: “Big Saving Zone had a fantastic 2017. There were so may renovations — about 80 per cent of them were down to the America’s Cup and a lot of people taking care of their apartments.”

• Dreams is open from 9.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and can be contacted on 293-7326. The store’s website is www.dreams.bm