STAFF at a fancy dress shop are being followed by BBC cameramen for six weeks, as part of a TV show exploring the trials and tribulations of a family business.

Props and Frocks, in Battlesbridge, has been chosen to be part of a new show presented by Alex Polizzi, from the Hotel Inspector.

The show, yet to be named, looks at what goes on at family businesses. It features industry experts to show the families how to improve their businesses and working relationships.

Props and Frocks was opened in 1998, by Adele Wiseman, 44. She now runs it with her mum, Joy Wiseman, 66, her daughter, Rhys Ranson, 24, and son, Ellis Wiseman.

Adele used to run a horse riding school on the site where the shop now stands, in Rectory Lane.

Ellis, 23, who runs the internet and accounting side of Props and Frocks, said: “It can be really stressful working with your family all of the time. It was not what I thought I would be doing at this age, but I love it.

“We first got an e-mail about the show in January. We were all a bit sceptical, but we signed up and, amazingly, were picked.

“We were interviewed by the production team. They asked us really in-depth questions about what it was like running a business as a family, who argued with who, and the best and worst parts of working with your family.

“The cameras will be in the shop for a couple of days a week for six weeks. Alex and the team is already making a difference to us and the way we run the business.”

Ellis said the show had taught the family how to spend time together as a unit and not just at work together.

Film crews followed the family as they spent an afternoon in Basildon town centre, in costuume, doing research into how many people know about the shop.

Ellis added: “We went out dressed up in our outfits and we thought lots of people would know about us in Basildon because we are only a few miles away.

“We were shocked to find out that only 25 out of 160 people knew about the shop. It has made us re-think how we advertise the shop.

“Having the cameras in the shop was really weird at first, but we have got used to it.

“The whole experience of the show has been great and they are showing us ways how to run the business we had never thought of before.”

For more information, go to www.props-n-frocks.

co.uk. The programme will be shown next year.