316 Framing

This framing shop has been on Portobello Road for as long as I can remember — that’s quite a long time and it is my default place for having pictures framed. I think they used to have a workshop downstairs but now everything is taken to some place in the country — average turnaround time is 2 weeks.
What is very confusing is the name … I’m pretty sure they were simply called Portobello Framing at some point, the invoice states Ware Frames Ltd, the listing here is for Creaser Framing while the shop’s current website simply refers to 316, i.e. the shop’s house number.
What remains is a reliable framing service and some good art on the walls — wouldn’t quite call this a gallery, but some of it is for sale, so there.
Considering how many items I have had framed here over the years, I am a bit perturbed to be asked for full payment in advance (used to be a 50% deposit which makes a lot more sense) — now they hold both your art and your money, all you have is a slip of paper and a promise. I can understand this practice at a shoe menders — after all, they are stuck with smelly old boots.
Service levels are more local amenities than art gallery, too. Measuring up and advising clients does take it’s time, granted, but there would be no harm in acknowledging those waiting their turn … they do have a captive market!
If it was possible, I would give this 3.5 stars rather than 4, but 3 just feel to mean as they really do produce excellent work.