Paraphernalia…………………. |

Who are you? Andrew Davidson, Owner of Paraphernalia, Antiques, Retro and Vintage. 8 King Street Margate.

Why Margate? By mistake, Took a wrong turn on a bank holiday day trip from London and it was love at first sight.

How do you define style? Style is in the eye of the beholder, everyone has their own slant on it.

If you were an animal, what would you be? Magpie, for obvious reasons, I collect a LOT of things.

What couldn’t you live without? Little white labels and luggage tags.

Object of desire? Liberty Art Nouveau sideboard, an Eric Ravilious original work of art.

Favourite place to think? I plan the day during an early morning dog walk in Northdown Park.

What is the best thing about your job? Buying job lots, you never know what you might find at the bottom of a box.

What building would you like to be locked in overnight? The Chocolate Box on Margate’s High Street, I’ll strip it bare in 8 hours.

Where do you go for a nightcap? Friday night bottle of wine in the Great British Pizza Company on Marine Drive.

What would you buy if you won the lottery? The Ciftonville Lido, I have it all planned out – Spa hotel (no flats), full refurbishment of the Georgian steam rooms and the Lido pool, heated in the winter, good quality fish restaurant, traditional seated fish and chip restaurant, Art Deco tea rooms and cocktail bar, gym, nursery, themed bars, from the 1950’s/60’s/70’s and 80’s – all overlooking the sea, with amazing sunsets.

What do you collect? Seaton Pottery storage jars from Aberdeen (my home town), Buchan Pottery – thistle design, books on Aberdeen, Art Nouveau furniture, Aberdeen postcards, antique cameras, Corgi Cars, oh yes and dust.

Who are your heroes? William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gaudi and Acorn antiques finest, Miss Babs and Miss Berta.

Best and worst thing about setting up your shop? Best – Being able to work for myself and not taking orders from anyone else, I’ve never been good at that. Worst – deciding on a name for the shop, it took ages.

First Margate memory? Arriving along Canterbury road and seeing the harbour for the first time. I never tire of that view.

Biggest extravagance? An £800 armchair in tartan.

Best advice you’ve been given? If you work for someone else, you’re only ever a number on the payroll.

What would you do if you were Mayor of Margate for a day? Free parking in Margate and Cliftonville, which would be a massive boost to retailers. Reduce the huge business rates bills for the very large empty shops in Margate – let’s get them filled!

What’s the most unusual item that’s come through your door? An amazing set of 19th century hand drawn and coloured original architectural plans for a harbour of refuge at Margate.

What are your goals for 2013? Win the lottery – See previous question!

ROUND UP: Paraphernalia can be found on King street, a beautiful shop inthe heart of Margate old town. Inside a hoard of curiosities, furniture, pictures, china, glass and lots more from 1770 to 1970. A quick browse doesn’t do this shop justice, hours could be spent rummaging and discovering, there really is something for everyone inside, a collectors dream a paradise of paraphernalia.

WHERE TO BUY: Time to buy christmas presents! For unique personal gifts go to Paraphernalia, 8 King Street, Margate, CT9 1DD

Then perhaps grab a Pizza at GB PIZZA CO, 14a Marine Drive, Margate, Kent, CT9 1DH. www.greatbritishpizzacompany.wordpress.com