It might sound like clutching at bamboo shoots but small businesses are now turning to the ancient Chinese art of feng shui to improve their performance.

This week Nigel Berman called in feng shui expert Richard Ashworth to get some "positive energy" flowing at his offices in Coleridge Street, Hove.

The Nigel's Eco Store boss employed Mr Ashworth to feng shui his home and wanted to see if the TV personality could work his magic in the workplace.

Feng shui - which translates as wind water - arranges objects and space to achieve "harmony with nature".

It involves rearranging furniture to ensure rooms, offices or entire buildings are attuned with "qi" - a life force or spiritual energy found in air and water.

Some objects, such as mirrors, crystals and wind chimes, are believed to have the power of redirecting, reflecting, or shifting this life energy in a specific space.

Feng shui has grown in popularity in the West, often with the focus on interior design and architecture.

And it's not just small businesses that are giving it a go.

Corporate monoliths such as News Corp, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard and Ford Motors have all been reported to be using feng shui.

Mr Berman said: "We are hoping our feng shui treatment will increase our business efficiency while promoting our vitality, happiness and performance.

"Richard has previously done some fantastic feng shui in my home and everyone here is really excited to see what can be done in the office."

Mr Ashworth, who describes his trade as "unblocking stuckness and attracting relationship, health, happiness and abundance", spent a full day at Nigel's Eco Store which markets recycled and environmentally friendly products.

He said: "We have created a lot more space at the entrance to the office which was very cluttered. Space has become associated with wealth. There's no obvious logic for it but it has, so it was important that you get that initial impression."