“Reepham Antiques started out a couple of years ago as an internet-based antiques selling business,” explained Mr Butler’s daughter Amy Loxton, who began working for the company in 2007. “However, when the space next door, previously occupied by Teather Walls Architects, became available, it seemed the perfect opportunity to open a showroom.”
 
Specialising in carved and gilt furniture and mirrors, mostly English but with some continental pieces, Reepham Antiques offers a range of items from the more affordable £10-15 price bracket up to a magnificent 18th century window bench seat priced at £16,000; also on show are gilt rams’ skulls, brass candle arms and silver tableware.
 
The showroom officially opened to the public on 3 December to coincide with Reepham’s Festival of Light and went “really well”, said Mrs Loxton. “We saw a lot of people and even sold a few things!
 
“We have had such positive feedback from local people, the other businesses around us and our existing clients. We are really proud of the showroom so it’s lovely to hear such wonderful comments.”
 
She added that the showroom has continued to do well since opening, with many pieces sold already, so the space has been shuffled around to include newer items.
 
Butler & Castell specialises in the restoration of carved and gilt, painted, polished and specialist wax-finished furniture. It has enjoyed many years working in the fine art and antiques trade, and has carried out a wide variety of restoration and conservation work for a number of important clients.
 
Traditionally, the work has been undertaken on behalf of antique dealers and private collectors based in London and New York, as well as in the Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia.
 
Butler & Castell has also carried out work for the National Trust and English Heritage, as well as various churches throughout the region. It is on the Conservation Register operated by the Institute of Conservation (Icon) and is an accredited member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA).
 
Mr Butler said the sale of antiques is also a great vehicle for Butler & Castell’s restoration work. “We already have very good business in London, but not necessarily in Reepham,” he noted. “However, we are gradually attracting more clients in the area and the local customer base has grown over the past two or three years.”
 
“We’ve never really presented ourselves locally,” added Mr Castell. “And we plan to get all of our catalogue items available on the internet. As the technology is evolving, there is now much more selling online.”
 
Reepham Antiques joins a growing number of arts, antiques, interiors and furniture businesses in and around Reepham, including Hamptons Home & Garden (which is planning to relocate to Bawdeswell next year), Rococo Loco, Rushlight Gallery, Lambert & Tribe, Kerri’s Farmhouse Pine and Country Modern; the town is also the home of auction house Bonhams’ Norfolk office.
 

• Reepham Antiques, Market Place, Reepham, is open on Wednesday to Friday from 9 am – 5 pm and on Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm; other times by appointment only. Tel: 01603 872725. Email: mail@reephamantiques.co.uk www.reephamantiques.co.uk