Although Cornwall is now in Tier 3, here we talk to two antiques businesses in the county about how trade was going before the county entered higher Covid-19 restrictions.
'We've sold a lot of stock'
Annette and Martin Dunster own the Lostwithiel Antiques Centre which they bought last year. Originally from London and then the Bath area, they moved to Cornwall 15 years ago, opening their centre in a former boatyard.
The Dunsters said: “Cornwall has been crazy with visitors and we’ve sold a lot of stock, including a Mongolian decorated chest at £1200. Particularly good sellers are garden pieces, even in winter. We’ve been all round the country sourcing stock at fairs including from Shepton Mallet to Malvern and up to Lincoln and then down to Brighton and on to Oxford where we have an interior designer client.”
A flood in Lostwithiel last month had little effect on the centre and it is business as usual.
Shop window
This pair of handsome mid-20th century Italian terracotta hounds costs £475 at Ludgate House Antiques.
Nicki and Ralph Retallack own Ludgate House Antiques in Falmouth. Ralph said: “As a small business we did qualify for the grant, which was welcomed and gave us a push to build a website, but we still think a shop window that’s ever-changing and interesting is a must.
“We love our shop and will be here for years to come. We have very loyal customers and building face-to-face relationships are crucial while developing new contacts.”
Ralph added: “We managed to hold our second Enys House antiques and decorative fair in September which was a great success and very much welcomed by the locals and other dealers. Everyone had been shut away for so long and made the most of it. We also noticed the age range was a lot younger, which is great.”
