Our business started in 1987 and within a few years we found ourselves dealing with some very fine furniture.

Clients come mostly from the general public, but also include other fields such as the trade, education, museums, insurers and ecclesiastical bodies.

Besides the normal commercial insurance cover for employees, the public, property and professional indemnity, we are covered for client's furniture in trust and during transit.

Based in north Suffolk we are about an hour and a half from London and although most of our work is from the Eastern Region, there are always items from further a field. We have established relationships with specialist carriers for large or heavy items which have to come some distance.

Where necessary we are also willing to work on larger projects away from the workshop, and our insurance covers this.

A few years ago Michael Goater applied for full membership of the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association, the national authority for historic furniture restoration and conservation and in 2002 he was invited to join as a fully accredited member. BAFRA's assessment process is one of the most rigorous in the country he is one of just over 100 practicing accredited restorers and conservators in the UK.

Michael Goater has always played an active part in the promotion of high standards of craftsmanship. He lectured at the Welsh School of Musical Instrument Making and the London College of Furniture. He is a member of the Suffolk Craft Society and was vice Chairman, and was also on the committee of Suffolk Open Studios. He is presently on BAFRA's Executive Committee.