The Antique Trader was established in 1970 in North London’s Camden Passage antique centre. The partners, Brian Thompson & Derek Rothera, at that time specialised in early English oak furniture

By the eighties they were dealing in Georgian and Biedermeier periods which were more popular at that time. However, the partners’ real interest lay in the English Arts & Crafts Movement which drew much of its inspiration from the craftsmanship of the early English country furniture makers.

In the mid eighties they began infiltrating Morris, Liberty and Cotswold Schoolpieces into their stock and by 1990 the shop was entirely dedicated to the Arts & Crafts designers and makers.

In 1996 the business was relocated to its current premises which were built at the turn of the 19th century as a hat making factory. Derek & Brian have established the name of The Antique Trader at The Millinery Works, 87 Southgate Road, Islington, London N1 3JS.