Great start for framing business

The employees of a photo framing shop in Rochdale which went into liquidation have put their skills together to open their own business – framing photographs and auctioning memorabilia.

Dave Banner, his dad, Eric and family friend Brian Fletcher opened Elite Framing on Bury Road in the summer of last year.

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild, caught up with Dave Banner to find out more.

“Basically this started with the three lads that were left. We had loads of contacts and we looked at the funding and realised we could cut the costs a lot without sacrificing the quality,” said Mr Banner.

The business focuses on framing photographs and also auctioning of memorabilia at charity auctions – working with some of the country’s biggest charities.

Mr Banner said: “We are doing really well. We frame everything ourselves. Our customers are really impressed with the shop and the personal touch we offer.”

Mr Banner explained that sometimes people don’t understand the work that goes into framing, he said there are lots of things to take into consideration such as balancing the photographs, matching the colours not just of the photo to the frame but also to the place in the house where it will hang.

“We understand that a faded black and white photograph could be worth thousands to a person – in memories,” he added.

“We offer all the advice we can, if the customer is paying for something and they are going to see it on their wall for however many years then we want them to look and think – I’m glad I had it done there.

“People can’t always visualise what their items will look like, so they come in and have a talk with us, we give them a personal service.”

Mr Banner used to work at Woolworths but became involved in framing when the company closed down. Speaking about his dad and family friend he said: “Between the three of us we all offer different aspects. Our slogan is we can frame anything – and we can.”

When it comes to the memorabilia the company offers full authentication and they take the photos personally to be signed.

“We can’t afford mistake with authentication,” said Mr Banner.

The thing that makes Elite Framing different to any other framing company is their focus on the “finer details.”

“If a daughter or a granddaughter ends up with something that has been framed thirty years on then it will look as good as the day it was framed.”

Elite framing use acid free equipment so it won’t affect the photograph or the framed item in the long run.

The firm also frames memorabilia for charity auctions and they provide the opportunity for the winning bidder of the memorabilia to get in touch for anything they may need.

Mr Banner said: “If I could sum it up, we are a family run, caring, 100 per cent trust worthy business whether it is with memories or buying something – and I am proud of it.

“We hope to be here for a long time.”

Mr Banner concluded: “Sometimes when people can’t see what it will look like and then when they come to pick it up you can see the emotion.

“That feeling is amazing, it makes it all worthwhile.

“You’re a part of that, it sounds daft but you’re a part of them forever when it’s hung on their wall.

“I love it.”