Reepham Antiques bucks the trend with town centre expansion

Reepham Antiques recently took on the former home of Bonhams auction house in the Market Place - adding to its previous base across the road. 

The new Reepham Antiques showroom (Image: Reepham Antiques)

Hundreds of customers from across the region have been flocking to the new showroom, keen to see its extensive stock of furniture and fine art. 

Nigel Castell, who runs the business alongside Graham Butler, said: "People are closing their shops and going online-only. We have watched a lot of businesses disappear from the high street.

"For us, one of the important things - if you are buying expensive antiques - is to come and see it.

The exterior of the new Reepham Antiques showroom (Image: Reepham Antiques)

"We are bucking the trend in that respect. There are plenty of dealers out there with showrooms, but it is diminishing."

The sales side of Reepham Antiques is a by-product of Butler & Castell, the restoration and conservation venture started by Mr Butler and Mr Castell two decades ago.

Over the years, they have worked with an extensive list of clients including the National Trust and the private owners of several historic houses. 

Outside the Butler and Castell workshop in Reepham (Image: Reepham Antiques)

"We take conservation and restoration very seriously," added Mr Castell. 

"Some of our private clients are as far away as the States. We might be a small business, but we are known far and wide."

While Mr Butler and Mr Castell had always traded antique furniture on a small scale, the pair eventually saw the need to take it more seriously. 

Nigel Castell (left) and Graham Butler, owners of Reepham Antiques (Image: Reepham Antiques)

"Reepham Antiques emerged in 2014 because, at that time, restoration businesses could not stand on their own," explained Mr Castell. 

"Over the years we have just developed it more and more."

Now, Reepham Antiques is well-established, allowing the owners to showcase their restoration work and incredible selection of antiques. 

Guilding in progress at Butler and Castell in Reepham (Image: Reepham Antiques)

They specialise in fine, interesting and distinctive pieces from the 17th to mid-20th century, with an emphasis on quality English furniture and gilded and carved mirrors.

"We have tried to put our stamp on the trade and come up with something that stands us out from the crowd," said Mr Castell. 

"Going into the old Bonham's office, we see it as a continuation of art and antiques in Reepham."

Reepham Antiques is hosting a Christmas open evening from 7pm on Thursday, December 1.

Cut glass table lustres from Reepham Antiques (Image: Reepham Antiques)

The new showroom at Reepham Antiques (Image: Reepham Antiques)