Sign-maker is number 422 in England. But in what?
Francis Bowers was looking for a full-time job when he walked into Premier Engraving in Peterborough and heard the proprietor was about to retire.
Tuesday, 01 Apr 2014 16:37 GMT
Your move: the sign-maker and engraver who is also a chess player
“I was a customer of Premier Engraving,” says Francis Bowers, “and when I heard the shop was up for sale so I put in an offer. The owner had been there for 32 years and so it was an established business with a good customer base. The shop is about a mile from home and makes a pleasant walk each morning.”
It was a neat move from a man who knows all about thinking ahead as Francis is a keen chess player, ranked 422 in England with a number of trophies to his name. And it was his need to engrave a trophy that brought him to the shop which he now owns and runs.
I’m not sure but some customers appear to be living on the bread line as I have to think twice about prices which are around £5”
“I did not realise how time consuming engraving is,” says Francis, “I make small plaques for churches, park benches, memorials, parks, crosses, schools, bowls clubs and aeroplanes. The biggest sign I’ve made so far is for a cross measuring more than six foot.”
“We have introduced a watch repair service, fitting batteries, straps, link removal and glass replacement. Plus we have introduced longer opening hours, and we are now open seven days a week,” he says, “I’m not sure but some customers appear to be living on the bread line as I have to think twice about prices which are around £5. Customers like to shop around and get the best price they can, and then they leave things so late that I am engraving minutes before presentation time.”
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