End of an era for town photography & framing business

A POPULAR photography and framing business in Melksham is closing on 31st March, as the owners retire after over 30 years of trading in the town.

Andy York Photography owned by Andy and Christine York, started in 1992 and has been based at the Littlebrook Centre for 17 years.

The couple bought the business from well-known Melksham photographer and framer, Anton, who trained Andy in framing work.

The services they have provided over the years have included photography, passport and ID photographs, photograph restoration, photography workshops, picture framing, and selling Andy’s artwork.

They have also made the annual Melksham Memories calendars collecting and restoring images of Melksham’s past, raising funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Andy said, “A lot of people have been saying that they are sad to see us go. A lot of people have been thanking us for all the work we have done for them, people have told me that through the portraits and photoshoots I have done of them, they have gained new-found confidence.”

Reflecting on memories of resorting old photographs for customers Andy said “Restoring old photographs has been really rewarding. One story that stands out in my mind was when a young lad brought in a photograph of his grandad or great-grandad in the army, riding a horse. This guy was stationed in Siberia in WW1. I was able to restore that photograph and I could tell that he was touched by it, I could see that he was pleased to see this photo again.

“Another story was when a lady brought in a picture of her and her husband, it was a colour one but photographs at that time, when they were left in daylight, would fade and the colours would leave the paper.

She said ‘I would love it if you could bring the colours back’ and I did and when she collected it, she burst into tears. Photographs are memories, they are not just pictures.”

Andy also used to develop the images for the Melksham News he said, “I remember working with the Melksham News developing the story photographs in the dark room that I had created in my home. That was very interesting!”

In retirement, Andy plans to restore some of his own family photos and will continue to sell his artwork, creating a new Etsy shop to sell his work.

Andy said, “Due to the practicalities of restoring photos and the challenges involved, I don’t think it will be possible to do this from home for the town, but I still plan on doing this for family and friends. I also have a mountain of old family pictures to do!

“I also hope to keep doing the Melksham Memories calendars if we can find somewhere to stock them. The website will be closed down, but everything will be transferred to Facebook.”

To keep the business going when they have retired, Andy and Christine are looking for someone to buy the business from them.

Christine said, “We are still open to someone buying the business, if there is any interest. It would be nice to keep the business going. People have known a framer here for a long time now.”

“We just want to thank everyone in the town who has been so supportive to us. It’s been a really lovely place to be over the years.”

For more information about buying the business, or about Andy York Photography contact 01225 707688.