A new antiques centre is a dream come true for a Nottinghamshire couple. Newark Chapel Antiques Centre opened its doors in the former Baptist Church on Albert Street, Newark on June 10 after months of renovations.
The centre has more than 20 dealers from across the East Midlands, including from Derby, Grantham and Newark. The centre has a range of period furniture, artworks, decorative and collectable items, as well as vintage and mid-century modern pieces.
Co-owner of the business and the Centre's manager, Annabelle Marcus, explained they sell a bit of everything in order to cater for everyone's interests, whether that be collectables or memorabilia. The centre also has it's own book room, where books range in price from £3 to more than £1,000.
Are you worried about the number of empty shops in the city centre? Let us know
Annabelle said: 'It's an exciting project and proves Newark is still well and truly on the map as far as its association with the local, national and international antiques trade is concerned." The sales area is currently limited to the ground floor, but plans include a first-floor sales area, display and events space, and a coffee shop in the old schoolroom also on the ground floor.
Annabelle owns the store with her husband Russell Lovatt, and it explained it was his "dream" to be able to have his own antiques store. Speaking about the location, Annabelle said: "This is the Baptist church, when it was for sale people were worried it was going to be ruined.
"Some of the neighbours came in here and they were so excited that we didn't ruin the inside. We just added some features to make it more appealing to everyone."
She added that they have had "really good feedback" so far. Annabelle continued: "We've been looking and looking for a property that would be able to manage with it. We did look in Wales and we looked in the Wollaton area and then we saw this church and said this is it.
The Centre will open Tuesday to Sunday each week, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
