Focus On The Past

Just from the pile of ornate, antique furniture sat outside I knew I was going to enjoy looking round this shop. From the rake to the watering can, everything looked a prop from the Railway Children.
I am not a skinny man and unfortunately I could barely squeeze through this shop floor, there is stock overflowing, but it is probably my fault (and the pies) more than theirs.
This shop must be an antique collectors/​hunters dream, they have old bird cages and bureaus (remember those, they’re the strange wooden chests of draws with a fold down flap that middle class people had in their houses to make them feel posh, or smug, or like they were cultured, or who knows why — like Mrs Bucket).
But there are some beautiful rare pieces of furniture and obscure objects laid out in this shop and you could spend an hour just looking around seeing what you could take to the Antiques Roadshow and fetch a disappointingly low price for (only low because your expectations were high, not because the furniture is rubbish, it’s not).

With its attractively chaotic-​looking jumble of items on the pavement, this shop is good fun for a good rummage and explore. There is absolutely heaps of stuff for sale here, from the more expensive things like big pieces of antique furniture, through complete teasets, to pictures, bits and bobs of crockery, and jewellery. The jewellery section is marvellous: strings and strings of beads, and broaches by the dozen.
The owner is very friendly and doesn’t mind at all if you’re clearly just in there to admire and mooch around. He strikes me as an owner who knows each and every item in stock and could tell you more about it all if you asked.
I’d definitely come back here to browse for gifts or maybe if I was looking for bits of furniture for my house.

As I mentioned in one of my previous reviews of a Clifton Village business it is often those at the higher end of the price spectrum who tend to cling on to the past a little longer than the rest. Focus on the Past on Waterloo Street is a prime example.
The first thought that comes to mind for me is ‘old stuff being sold for loads of money’. Now this may seem like a layman’s jaunt at any antique shop but I’m actually no stranger to such stores. Many an hour have I spent perusing the worlds of my ancestors in various dimly lit rooms and backyards. I am no stranger to the world of antiques.
This place really strikes me as one that has got a little carried away with itself. Admittedly there are some beautiful items of furniture on offer but it just seems way too steep for what it is.

No pootle around Clifton Village is complete without a pit-​stop at this little treasure trove of antiques and knick knacks. The tiny shop is literally piled high with everything from Toby jugs to old clocks. I have long been searching for the perfect trunk to double up as a coffee table so most visits have been along this vein, although FOTP is yet to serve up the goods. It’s not a shop that can hold a lot of visitors at once, but the owners have ingeniously made the best use of space they can, and there is always something outside the shop to draw you in. The prices aren’t the usual overblown antiques shop rate and most of the furniture is in fairly good nick.

You would be forgiven for thinking Focus On The Past was a junk shop from the outside, with it’s units and chairs and cluttering the exterior, but when you enter this Aladdins Cave, there are some very interesting pieces to be found, at very reasonable prices. Though we are not talking student reasonable, in terms of the quality and origin of these antiques, you are getting value for money. The goods range from period kitchen appliances to rugs and furniture, as well as books, jewellery, pottery and lighting.
The staff are always friendly and helpful, and in the basement you will be greeted by a man called Dave, who, is very knowledgable about antique furniture and will be happy to help with any queries.

My favourite antique shop in Bristol, it is a real treat heading in here. Piled high with fantastic items I think it is my cup of tea as a lot of it is mid-​20^th century. You can find vintage luggage and furniture downstairs — upstairs is a mix of glass, ceramics and home wares. They have lots of wartime tins and packaging, which I love.
Prices are very reasonable, with sets of glasses at about £20 for 4. Although there are displays all the way to the ceiling, you will have to have a rummage and delicate leaning over other items to look at what you want so don’t come in here with swinging bags or children!

A little treasure trove of antiques and collectables. You might miss it up Waterloo Street in Clifton Village or you could just think it’s a run of the mill junk shop — but no, all sorts of odd stuff in here and some of the prices are very reasonable. A full size double fronted oldish pine desk for around £300 is excellent value — you don’t know what you’ll find lurking in the nooks and crannies.
From their own blurb, it is run «…as a cooperative of 12 dealers selling a wide variety of antiques and collectables including antiques and painted furniture, old pine (bespoke pine and restoration…), French and English beds, Kitchenalia, china, pottery, glass, silver old advertising, tins and packaging.»
Recommended as a key addition to your list of places to pop into when visiting Clifton Village, this exciting little enclave of Bristol.

Not a junk shop, a passerby might see this store front and be sceptical that there’s anything decent in here. Upon entry, however, they’ll find all sorts of little treasures. Furniture downstairs and smaller things on the ground floor, I like to come here to try and get inspiration for gift ideas. Ornate letter opening knives and ancient smoking cards are some of things I’ve found here. This might not be inspiring interest in you. If you’re not the person who likes to rummage around inspecting old things then this may not be the place for you.
Although the store front hasn’t had too much attention given to it, the people that run the place certainly seem to know what they’re doing. The prices are reasonable, and you won’t make a car boot treasure style discover and find something ridiculously cheap. It’s probably why they have such a good selection too.
Tucked away down a side street you’ll find this shop, and tucked away in the corners of Focus on the Past you can find something neat to give to a friend.