THIRTY years ago a church in Marlborough was given a new identity and transformed into a treasure trove of antiques.

The place of prayer known as the Congregational Church of Marlborough in The Parade was converted by Terry Page and Robert Stenhouse and became the Marlborough Parade Antiques Centre selling anything from furniture to porcelain.

The shop, which still has the original church font inside, has appeared on television programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip and tourists come from far and wide to have a look at the many cabinets which hold items from war memorabilia to jewellery.

Gary Wilkinson and his business partner Penny Morgan took over the centre 11 years ago and seized the opportunity to revamp it and fill the building with unique items.

While putting their own stamp on it they have also seen the business grow and despite Mr Wilkinson’s background being in car industry, the 54-year-old from Stratton St Margaret in Swindon, who also owns Eric’s Attic named after his dog, has put his heart and soul into the centre and next month will celebrate the milestone of it being open for 30 years.

“When we took over it was quiet,” he said. “But we lifted it and started to generate more work and bring more customers in.

"Things have changed with the recession and we are a luxury item but it is the quality that people appreciate and the unusual things."

Trader June Weller, also from Swindon, has worked at the centre since it first opened and has not only seen the centre change but the antique industry.

She said: “I find the biggest change is people’s tastes, especially from people aged 30 downwards. They only tend to buy to see how much it is worth if they sell it again, which is the wrong reason really.

"You buy it because you like it but Gary has worked so hard and I have always loved it here and I love selling. You never know from one day to the next what people are looking for.”