An antique shop is set to open in Downham at the end of the month, offering chair enthusiasts and lovers of “pretty things” a chance to browse to their heart’s content.
The Chairwoman will open on the town’s High Street on Saturday, May 25 and will sell vintage chairs and seats as well as other “pretty things” including cushions, wrapping paper, cards and gifts.
Owner of the shop Pascale Palmer said she wants to spread her love for chairs with others and that she offers a number of different seats with various backstories.
Pascale said: “I love chairs and want to share that enthusiasm with other people. Old chairs tell a story of family life and fireside chats, maybe marriage proposals and nursing babies.
“There are chairs for lambing, for hair cutting, for having your teeth pulled, for queens and for bishops.
“I hope people will come into the new shop to look around and enjoy the chairs and seats, maybe remember a chair they grew up with, that was granny’s favourite, or that they see now and just love.
“Perhaps they will leave with a new chair with a wonderful story, or instead pick up some pretty things such as handmade marbled wrapping paper, a cute postcard, a beautiful hand-made jug, a vintage print tea towel or an elegant cushion.”
The Chairwoman also aims to focus on sustainability and inclusion, with second-hand antique and vintage items having a smaller carbon footprint than brand-new items.
The shop’s suppliers of new items come from women-, family- and community-run small businesses.
The Chairwoman currently has a set of early 20th-century gold-painted ballroom chairs acquired from the Guinness Family estate in stock.
Also for sale is a rare early 20th-century gothic Windsor chair and a fine arts and crafts reed-seated chair in light oak.