Gadsby’s has been part of the retail scene in Leicester for 125 years.
The shop on Market Place in the city centre offers a large range of specialist art products, as well as picture and memorabilia framing services.
We found out more about them in this week’s BID Spotlight feature.
Gadsby’s has been part of the Leicester shopping scene for many years, tell us how you started?
Gadsby’s started in 1898 when my great grandfather started a picture restoration business on Braunstone Gate in Leicester. Since then we have developed into picture restorers and framers, specialists in retailing fine art materials, and have a picture gallery.
What’s your favourite thing about running the shop?
My favourite thing about running a specialist art shop is introducing a member of the public to painting, and watching as their skills develop until becoming competent painters.
Tell us about some of the services that you offerÂ
We can frame most items which include sports shirts, tapestries, sports memorabilia, flags, boxing gloves and any type of picture regardless of its age.
What’s your favourite thing about being an independent shop in Leicester?
Being an independent store in the centre of Leicester has many advantages as a huge number of people visit the city centre every week with plenty of places to eat and drink while visiting other niche shops.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
We have faced many challenges during our 125 years of trading, but the most recent difficulties were presented by covid when most bricks and mortar retailers struggled to keep the doors open, although our amazing regular framing and artist customers kept coming in despite all of the difficulties presented.
How can people find out more about you?
Our web site does not bombard people with sales items, but we hope to inform the public about the services we offer with many examples of items which we have framed or restored.
Gadsby’s is located at 22 Market Place, LE1. You can visit their website at www.gadsbys.co.uk.
Our BID Spotlight features are brought to you in collaboration with BID Leicester.
