If the Strictly Come Dancing contestants can move as quickly and precisely as an Eaton Socon company then they are sure to be in the frame for the final.
Image Frames, run by husband and wife team Andy and Nikki Shreader, leapt into action when asked by London- based Bobby’s Props, at short notice, to produce an order of more than 30 gold custom-made frames for the hit BBC show.
“We got them out in about two days,” said office manager and company secretary Mrs Shreader. “He (Bobby) was thrilled.”
The couple, unaware of how their firm’s handiwork would be used, were delighted to discover the wooden props played a prominent role on the opening show of the latest series – featuring stars such as pop star Pixie Lott, Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace and Radio One DJ Scott Mills.
“The celebrities were all playing with them, it was really exciting,” Mrs Shreader said. “We didn’t realise they would get as much airtime as they did.
“We never usually get to see what they look like in their full glory, so it was really good to see, especially when my husband saw Pixie Lott holding a frame he had made.
“It was a real sense of accomplishment. A very proud moment.”
Mr Shreader, who is managing director, has been making picture frames for more than 20 years. He started the company only four years ago from a garage in St Neots.
Now based in a unit in Foundry Way, Eaton Socon, they mainly produce frames from online orders and employ two members of staff.
Other high-profile customers have included the makers of reality TV show Big Brother and, more recently, a firm working at this year’s Ryder Cup golf at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Meanwhile, Bobby’s Props was so impressed with the service from Image Frames that it placed another order for frames for ITV’s Sunday Night at the Palladium.
Mrs Shreader, who admitted she had been more of a fan of X Factor than Strictly, added: “It’s not bad for a small town picture framer.”
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