Framemakers re-opens – scaffolding finally gone

Framemakers – a long-time and popular feature of the St Peter’s end of the High Street formally re-opened on Friday last week, celebrating the end of the nine months of restoration works being carried out to the building and the disappearance of the ‘frame’ of scaffolding which enclosed the exterior during this extended period.

Like so many of the old buildings in the High Street, it needed maintenance and the recent works carried out on Framemakers should keep this structure in good condition for the next generation or so.

This is their showroom and whilst they will advise, design and take orders for specific framing jobs the works will be carried out in their workshop on the Business Park. Framemakers are a very long-established, family owned and run local business.

They frame works of art, or whatever they are asked to do. Not just paintings or photographs, some more unusual and ‘three dimensional’ objects will get framed such as a recent commission for a wooden spoon to be set in a frame, to commemorate (or commiserate over) the recent performance of Wales Rugby in the Six Nations Championships. And, as the images of the interior of Framemakers show they take artists’ works, frame them and display them for sale in the shop. Their business is framing, as their name implies.

Owner Louise Thatcher took over the business from her parents many years ago. Louise tells Marlborough.news about the history of Framemakers: “We have had a presence on Marlborough High Street for 35 years. Our first shop was on the other side of the High Street underneath the Merlin Hotel. We have been in this current location for 17 years. The business now also has its workshop in Marlborough where we produce all of the bespoke framing and we make our own brand of Ready-Made Frames and mounts in a variety of standard sizes. 

“We stock a range of open-ended and limited edition prints that we carefully source, along with a range of sculpture and giftware.”

Store manager Becky has over 10 years’ experience advising customers on their Bespoke Framing orders and is able to provide expert advice on the ready-made frames.

Lousie added: “We are very fortunate to trade in such a beautiful High Street, which has many independent shops like us. It is certainly a draw for customers.”

An important member of the Independent retail trade in Marlborough, no visitor to the town would ever add Marlborough to an itinerary to visit Boots, whereas Framemakers, White Horse bookshop, The Polly, or few other key outlets might inpire a visit to Marlborough. The independent trade is vital to the town, and Framemekers is a key member of this group.

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