HUNDREDS of fashion and jewellery designers, artists and photographers will enjoy coveted high street exposure with the launch of a brand new enterprise in Glasgow.

The Scottish Design Exchange is to open a new outlet at Buchanan Galleries, which will showcase the work of more than 120 new designers.

The store, will be housed in premises formerly occupied by Austin Reed, with six staff and is the second one in Scotland, following the launch of the business in Edinburgh three years ago.

The Glasgow store has already attracted around 120 producers who will rent space to sell a range of products including art works, sculpture, jewellery, handbags, purses and wallets, designer clothing, home furnishings and craft toiletries.

The Leith store has a turnover of £550,000, providing a commercial lifeline to hundreds of artists, designers and craftspeople who were previously unable to sell their products because of the high commission rates charged by galleries.

Tenants pay a fixed fee to rent selling space, so they’re not penalised for the popularity of their products.

The business recently launched an online store, selling the work of Scottish artists to a global audience.

Further outlets are planned across Scotland and south of the border..

Unlike most art galleries the Scottish Design Exchange (SDX) doesn’t charge commission on items sold.

One of its founding artists is now stocked in 84 outlets across the country, turning over more than £350,000-a-year.

Lynzi Leroy, who is behind the business, said: “Scotland has a wealth of creative talent, but its work never sees the light of day because, until now, we haven’t had a commercial forum to showcase it.

“The SDX rewards artists whose work has genuine commercial appeal and doesn’t take the legs from under them, at the outset, by charging unfair fees in commission.

“We’re confident the people of Glasgow will be supportive of what we do. We anticipate customers will be different from those in Leith, reflecting the city’s unique character and tastes and we’re already seeing that in the type of artists who have signed up.

“Glaswegians know what they like - they have a very distinctive taste and style and we’re geared up to meeting their requirements.

Its launch is supported by growth funding from First Port, a Scottish Government-backed awards programme for social enterprises, which provided £125,000 to support the company’s own investment. The award was based on SDX being a profitable business with no need for future funding support.