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Can you tell us how you discovered No 42, and what inspired you to do the renovation?
This building was introduced to us by our landlord, who owns our previous location on St Mary’s Road. Having recently acquired this beautiful, Regency-style building on the High Street, he approached us to see whether we’d be interested in restoring it as a Neptune showroom. The property felt like a natural fit for the brand, as Neptune stores are often located in inspiring, characterful buildings with a strong sense of history. Throughout the renovation, we were very mindful of preserving the building’s heritage and original character, ensuring that every restoration decision was made sympathetically. Our aim was to breathe new life into the space, while celebrating its architectural features and historical significance. What condition was the building in before you took over? No. 42 has a rich and varied history. Having served as a family home, law offices, an antiques shop and most recently as the arts, maths and languages classrooms for Brook House College. While many of the building’s original architectural features had thankfully survived, years of adaptation for its different uses meant there was still significant restoration work to undertake. As we peeled back layers of wallpaper throughout the property, we uncovered fascinating traces of its past – from floral patterns hidden beneath 1980s woodchip wallpaper, to old newspapers and flyers tucked within the walls as we reinstated original archways. Our aim was to restore the building sensitively, and celebrate its heritage – returning it to the elegant, characterful property it was always intended to be. Today, its period charm provides the perfect backdrop for Neptune’s timeless designs, with each room thoughtfully curated to feel both inspiring and beautifully lived in. What was the most challenging part of the renovation? Much of the renovation took place in the depths of winter, which brought its own challenges. Working in a building with no heating, and original single-glazed windows, made for a long and demanding few months. We were also constantly debating what should be restored, retained or replaced – always striving to make decisions that respected the building’s character. The original wooden flooring on the first floor was a particular labour of love. Before it could be sanded and restored, countless pins and nails had to be removed by hand. It would have been far easier to cover it with a new floor, but preserving the original boards felt like the right thing to do. The staircase presented another challenge. After carefully sanding and staining it, we protected it with plastic while other work continued, only to discover that the covering had lifted much of the stain away. The entire process had to be repeated from scratch. The building’s generous Regency proportions also meant that even seemingly simple details required considerable thought. With ceiling heights of around 3.5 metres, everything had to be scaled appropriately. Replacing the skirting boards alone involved hours of discussion and experimentation as we combined multiple mouldings to create a profile that felt substantial enough for the rooms while remaining sympathetic to the rest of the building. Above all, it was important to us to work with local tradespeople who are true experts in their crafts. Much of the credit for the finished result belongs to them: the tilers who painstakingly cut tiles around the original skirting boards throughout the ground floor; our exceptional builder, who replastered every wall while carefully retaining the original corner beads; our electrician, who spent much of the project perched atop the tallest ladder he could find and showed endless patience with our detail-oriented approach; and the decorators, who truly brought the space to life, embracing our bold colour choices and expertly navigating that staircase more than once. And what was the most satisfying? There were two moments that stand out. The first was the evening before we opened our doors to the public, when we hosted a celebration for everyone who had played a part in the restoration journey. We were joined by our new team, the talented tradespeople and craftspeople who helped bring the building back to life, loyal customers, family members who had supported us from the very beginning, and even Neptune’s founder and CEO. Seeing the space filled with the people who had helped shape it was incredibly special. Experiencing the showroom through their eyes made all the hard work, dust and determination of the previous months feel more than worthwhile. Equally rewarding was introducing our new team to both the business and the building. Neptune Market Harborough is no longer just Richard and Joanna; the showroom has become the product of a collective effort. We worked together as a team to complete the styling, layouts and final details, and we’ve been incredibly fortunate with the people who have joined us. Seeing how much they enjoy working in such a unique environment, and the pride they take in the space, is an incredible feeling. Their enthusiasm and love for the building make all the effort that went into its restoration feel worthwhile every day. Since opening, it has also been wonderful to welcome visitors who have known the building through its many previous chapters. The headteacher and several members of staff from Brook House College have visited on a number of occasions, sharing memories of how the classrooms once looked and functioned. We’ve also met people who worked in the building more than 30 years ago when it served as council offices, and hearing their stories while seeing their appreciation for the restoration has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that the building’s history is still so fondly remembered, while also seeing it embraced by a new team and a new generation of visitors, has been one of the most gratifying aspects of the entire project. What can Neptune customers expect when they visit? Customers visiting Neptune Market Harborough can expect a warm welcome from our small, friendly team and a relaxed environment where they can explore, gather inspiration and take their time. Whether you’re looking for design advice, planning a major renovation or simply browsing, we’re here to help. The showroom is designed as a series of beautifully styled living spaces, showcasing everything that makes Neptune special. From bespoke kitchens and fitted cabinetry to furniture, lighting, paint, accessories and candles, everything you see is available to purchase. Most importantly, we want every customer to feel valued, whether they’re visiting to admire the building, buy a candle or plan their dream kitchen. As an independent Neptune store, every purchase makes a difference. The support of our customers enables us to continue investing in the showroom, our team and our presence on the high street. We believe that every visitor matters, and we’re proud to offer a space where people can enjoy great design, seek advice and feel part of the story. What are your hopes for the next few years? What’s next for us is incredibly exciting. Our vision is to keep growing the showroom into a space that feels inspiring, welcoming and full of life. Upstairs, we have another floor with so much potential, and we’d love to transform that space and expand the store even further in the coming years. Beyond the physical space, our focus is always on creating somewhere people genuinely enjoy spending time, feel comfortable returning to and where they can see the honesty, rigour and kindness behind everything we do. We’d also love to begin hosting events in the showroom, giving people the opportunity to experience the space in a more lived in and creative way. Long term, we hope to establish Neptune Market Harborough as not just a showroom, but a valued part of the town and its community. It would be wonderful to see the high street continue to grow up towards us, as we think this is such a beautiful part of town and somewhere with real potential to become an even more vibrant destination. |
Issue 30
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