Antiques Addiction

At the age of 70 Francesca Archer has opened a new antiques and interiors shop in Knutsford.

TATTON Interiors, a new shop opened in Knutsford by Francesca Archer, is a little Aladdin’s cave of delights, presided over by a welcoming and knowledgeable lady, who I’m tempted to describe as the doyenne of antiques in this area, though she would probably refute that.

‘I’ve been in the antiques business for 40 years, on and off,’ Francesca tells me. ‘Before opening this shop I had two rooms in a shared space on Minshull Street in Knutsford, so I know what I need to do to make it work. It’s nice to think you can change the direction of your life at any age.’

I confess, I did wonder if this wasn’t a surprising step for a lady of 70 to take, but her experience – and impressive collection of contacts – means that it’s not the risk it might seem at first glance.