Strand Arts

I have had an art shop in Cheltenham since the year 2000. When I left school at 16 years of age I went to work for my father who had an art shop called The Colourman in Cheltenham. He first started in 1953 in Chesterfield. His father was a natural artist and a master painter/decorator and was the manager at Heals in London and also had his own decorating business. My father moved to Cheltenham in the late 1960's. He opened up an art and craft shop on Regent Street Cheltenham. He also did picture framing. After 7 years he re-located to Grosvenor Street, Cheltenham, where he stayed for over 30 years. He made me a partner; along with him and my Mum we ran the shop. When he was 70 he decided to retire. I had thoughts that I would like to pursue something different so he sold the premises and closed the shop. After 8 months of being a nursing auxiliary on a busy hospital ward, I decided I missed the business and the shop more than I thought I would!