Three of our own independents appeared in a BBC show that involved a makeover of their shops. 

This year’s Interior Design Masters, on BBC One, involved makeovers of Annie’s Just Jane, in St John’s Street, Brides by Victoria, in New Street and Casa Fina, on High Street.

The show aired for the first time last Wednesday (March 30).


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The series is presented by comedian Alan Carr, who was spotted in the city centre in July, filming at Salisbury Cathedral. The shops closed for a week or so the same month for the makeover and filming.

Now you can take a look inside - here are some before and after pictures.

To watch the programme, visit BBC iPlayer.

Salisbury Journal: Alan Carr, Interior Design Masters. PA Photo/BBC

Annie's Just Jane

Annie’s Just Jane, owned by mother and daughter Annie and Carys Arthey, has been a bra fitting and swimwear specialist business for 52 years.

Carys said: “The poisoning and Covid restrictions have obviously had a huge impact on our business, so the show is a welcome event, and it will also hopefully encourage lots of people to visit the Cathedral and shop in Salisbury.

“It has been great to be a part of the experience with Brides by Victoria and Casa Fina! Both shops look wonderful.”

The shop was made over in the episode by designers Molly Coath and Paul Andrews.

The shop front before the makeover

Salisbury Journal:  Annie's Just Jane after the makeover

The finished front post-makeover

Salisbury Journal: Annie's Just Jane after makeover

Salisbury Journal: Paul Andrews muses over his and Molly’s 'best work yet' in Salisbury

Paul Andrews muses over his and Molly’s 'best work yet' in Salisbury. Picture: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions

Salisbury Journal: Amy Davies and Banjo Beale pose in the doorway of Annie’s Just Jane, Salisbury.

Rival designers Amy Davies and Banjo Beale pose in the doorway of Annie’s Just Jane. Credit: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions

Brides by Victoria

Owner of Brides by Victoria, Helen Astbury, also told the Journal that she hoped the programme would encourage people to start visiting Salisbury again.

In July, she said: "We haven't just had Covid, we've had Novichok before that and small business in Salisbury is in a dreadful state.

"We had brides from all over the country, but when Novichok and the Salisbury poisonings happened, that killed us fast.

"Salisbury is a beautiful city, and people don't want to come back yet, but there's no reason for them not to. Salisbury needs this."

The shop was made over by the episode’s winners Molly Coath and Paul Andrews.

Before

Salisbury Journal: Brides by Victoria before makeover

After the makeover

Salisbury Journal: Brides by Victoria after makeover by this episode's winners Molly Coath and Paul Andrews

Salisbury Journal: Brides by Victoria after makeover by this episode's winners Molly Coath and Paul Andrews

Salisbury Journal: Brides by Victoria after makeover by this episode's winners Molly Coath and Paul Andrews

Casa Fina

Casa Fina’s owner Susi Mason posted a special blog post on the website about the experience.

She wrote: "I was filmed walking back into the shop and they must have just caught my open mouth – I LOVED IT.

"Another chapter in the history of Casa Fina, as Mary Portas said – a long established business has had an update – hooray!"

Before makeover - Susi Mason outside the shop in 2019

Salisbury Journal:

Casa Fina after being made over by Fran Lee and Dean Powell

Salisbury Journal: New window of Casa Fina

Salisbury Journal:

Salisbury Journal: Casa Fina interior after makeover

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