A Christmas alternative to the digital age

Does an antique make a better Christmas present than a laptop or tablet?

Topsham dealers certainly think so as the festive footfall at the unique Quay Antique Centre by the River Exe continues to rise as the Christmas break approaches.

A favourite for makers of specialist TV programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, the Quay Centre features three floors packed with furniture, lighting, silver, jewellery, pictures, clocks, books, clothing glass and collectibles with the 70 dealers taking in new stock daily.

Penny Clark who has traded from the Quay Centre for 23 years said: “We have wide appeal and attract dealers from across the globe. I suspect most of the traders here would encourage Christmas shoppers to consider buying an antique for their loved ones. Not only do they provide the opportunity of giving something special and probably unique, they will also last a lot longer than most digital technology!”

The Quay centre was built by Rank in 1947 as a grain store but was never used for that purpose. It subsequently became a warehouse for Tuborg Lager which was brought in by boat to the quayside for onward transport by train. It closed after the railway to the quay was discontinued in the 1960/70s and remained empty for some years.

The lease was acquired by Stonewall Limited in 1992 and opened as an antiques centre the following year.

Penny Clark added: “I think anyone new to this rare gem of a place will be amazed at the fantastic range of quality products on sale that are a world away from ‘one-size-fits-all’ globalised high streets.”

Photo: Penny Clark, a stallholder for 23 years