Northampton antiques shop home to 35 independent traders relocates to bigger and more central location

An antiques shop that has been trading in Northampton for two years has relocated to a bigger venue.

Click Antiques and Vintage was based in Wootton, but has now moved to Moore Street, just off Kettering Road in Kingsley.

Claire Wallace-Sims and her partner Nick, who run the business, decided earlier this year that it was time to expand and relocate to a more centrally located premises.

Now that non-essential have been given the go-ahead to reopen, the new premises finally opened its doors on Monday (June 15), with more space, a car park and accessible, one-floor shopping.

Claire said: “It’s been bonkers and on three occasions on Monday we had queues and had to ask people to wait outside.

“It was well worth making the move. In Wootton, we were tucked away, whereas here we get passing trade.

“We have a big A frame on the Kettering Road so we have people who just pop in, then they come back later in the week with their partner or whoever.

“Our regulars have been in too and have said we are much closer to town than we used to be. “

Inside the shop there are more than 35 independent traders, who pay a fee for Claire and Nick to stock their items.

This means the shop has a wide range of products from jewellery, furniture, militia and is also home to Records Junkies, which sells vintage vinyls.Although the relocation has been a success, it did not happen without its troubles.

The couple signed the lease on the former Parsonson’s warehouse in February and began working on the building.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Wootton shop had to shut prematurely and the building work had to be reorganised for safety.

Claire added: “We had building work planned in and for the first two weeks of lockdown so we had to stagger the builders and traders so that made it harder.

“But the delay on opening meant we had another six weeks to get it spot on and we did get it spot on.

“We are really happy with what we have done and it just gave us extra time to make it perfect.

“We’ve kept our heads above water the last couple of months by selling online and offering a click and collect service.

“But nothing beats the interaction with our customers and helping them find the perfect thing.”

The additional time also allowed the pair to ensure the shop can cope well with Covid-19 measures, social distancing and keeping customers safe.

Click Antiques and Vintage is now open seven days a week.

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