An iconic store in Marlborough has reopened after a redecoration saw it shut for a month.

The Merchant’s House shop, on Marlborough High Street, was closed during January while the store was redecorated and restocked.

All the profits made by the gift shop, which sells a wide range of products including homeware and baby and toddler toys, go towards maintaining and restoring the iconic Grade II listed Merchant’s House, which was built between 1653 and 1700 and is one of the town’s oldest buildings.

Shop manager Jessica Taylor was thrilled to reopen the shop and get customers back through the door.

She said: “I’m incredibly excited because it’s been a long time coming. We really needed the shop to be refreshed. It’s a long time to be shut, but in retail January is probably the best time of the year to shut.

“We’ve had a paint, got some new stock and we’re halfway through a big sale to try and clear the decks.

“It’s really good to have a refresh and lots of lovely customers are coming in and telling us they’ve missed us which is really lovely to see.”

The shop has several new items on sale, including their range of gluggle jugs from a pottery company in Stoke on Trent.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The shop's new range of gluggle jugs.The shop's new range of gluggle jugs. (Image: The Merchant's House shop)

The novelty ceramic jugs are shaped like fish and sold in a variety of different colours. As the jugs are tipped to pour liquid they make a unique glugging sound which inspired their name.

The shop, and the rest of the house, is run by a small management team but is also staffed by daily volunteers, and Mrs Taylor added that their work is vital to helping maintain the historic building.

“The house is run by a charity and they need money to help with things like fixing the roof which is a major project at the moment”, she said.

“All the profits go towards restoring the house… it’s amazingly important for Marlborough because there is so much history in this house.

“We really value our volunteers and we have noticed numbers dwindling since the pandemic. It’s a constant battle to get people to part with their time but we’re always looking for new people to help.”

The house was originally owned by silk merchant Thomas Bayly and was rebuilt after the 1653 fire of Marlborough. It is now owned by the Merchant’s House Trust, a registered charity who maintain the building.

As well as the roof, renovations are planned on a fireplace in the panelled room.