An upholsterer in Oswestry is launching a series of workshops in the hopes of stopping the practise from becoming a “lost art”.

Paul Day, of Day’s Re-upholsterers in Oswestry, has launched a series of workshops to help people in the area learn the craft in a school that he hopes will be ideal with beginners and enthusiasts alike.

The 65-year-old traditional upholsterer said the idea came from his daughter Gemma and was fuelled by his desire to see the practice become a more common skill rather than risk fading away.

He said: “Teaching has always felt like the natural progression of what I’ve been doing here, but it took my daughter’s ideas and direction to get it off the ground.

“I want to try and diversify and pass down the knowledge of this trade I’ve been practising for so many years, especially as it’s so linked to Oswestry.

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“Oswestry used to have more upholsterers that anywhere else in the area and it was such a widely found trade. When I started in 1976 there were at least eight businesses based in the town that practiced upholstery. Now there’s only me. The scene has changed tremendously.

“It’s not taught as a skill anymore, which is a shame. But I wanted to be part of the solution to that in whatever small way I could. I thought if we could revive it even a little bit then that would be wonderful.

“The idea came when I was looking for an apprentice and was inundated with people wanting to learn the trade from scratch.”

The workshops will offer a variety of skills, from footstool and headboard making to traditional upholstery, taught with “hands on experience” as part of the session.

“We thought it would be a good idea to offer several workshops for a wide spectrum, from beginners to anyone looking to sharpen their skills.

“Since announcing it we’ve been up to our elbows in bookings so I’m hoping it will prove to be a hit.”

More information can be found on the Day’s Upholstery School website.