Much like the building that houses Antiques Bazaar, it’s owner Anthony Bucke, also has an interesting story. Prior to being an Aladdin’s cave to all manner of antiques and collectables, the large vaulted building used to be a textile mill. Webbing, fashion belts and saddle girths were made there, as well as the straps for the parachute on the Space Shuttle when it returned to earth.
Anthony was brought up on a smallholding on the top of Hardown Hill, perched above Morcombelake, by parents who made all manner of livings possible from their slice of paradise. Schooled in Chideock and then at Woodroffe, Anthony spent three years as a trainee site engineer, including working on the M5. At the same time, he bought a half share of a smallholding in South Perrott, with established antiques and vintage dealer Julie Wells. During weekends and evenings, he reared bullocks on the land. One day Julie approached Anthony with a proposition; there was a second-hand furniture shop for sale in Crewkerne, did he want to run it with her? And so his love affair with antiques started in 1976, fuelled by Julie’s knowledge, which she was happy to share. A few years on they bought a new site, and when the partnership eventually came to an end Anthony went on to acquire the one-acre site where he is now.
Bursting with independent traders, Anthony manages Antiques Bazaar and all that goes on within it. He’s there before it opens, restocking the on-site café each day. With an excellent team on site, he is then able to turn his attention to other business matters that claim his attention. Anthony produces The Antiques Tourist booklet, a quarterly town guide for Chard and also has a palette recycling business. The ability to find a margin is what drives Anthony and makes him so very good at what he does.
