Who We Are & What We Do

In our workshops we see the widest variety of work you can imagine, from walnut car dashboard parts to mahogany long-case clocks. We have excellent connections and working relationships with all other trades required to offer a complete service, re-upholstery and cleaning of soft furnishings, cabinet repairs, clock restoration, and replacement of glass.

We regularly work with insurance companies and loss adjusters in Middlesbrough and further afield to undertake restoration following damage from natural disasters or accidental causes. Please see below for more information.

A Family Run Business Since 1944

It was 1944 and a very different world. As a young lad of 14, Charles Newmarch joined the newly established French Polishing business JW James, which operated from workshop premises in Victoria Street in central Middlesbrough. In those days, should the craftsmen be required to work in a domestic situation or in prestigious business establishments formal dress was required, so all French Polishing was undertaken in a shirt and tie!

Having served his traditional seven year long apprenticeship, Charles continued to work with John James, and was made Foreman in the 1950s, managing a team of craftsmen in the workshop and often on site.

Over the years, the focus of the work has changed. In those days the high streets of northern towns were graced with elegant wooden frontages. Many shops such as Dunn’s Gentlemen’s Outfitters, and the banking establishments, trusted us to maintain their shop fronts, and interior fixtures and fittings. The shipbuilding industry also required polishers for their new fittings, or to restore and refurbish vessels in service.

In 1972, Mr James retired and Charles took over the company with his wife Joyce, moving the workshop to our present location, and eventually rebranding with the Newmarch name. Their son, Graham, joined them seven years later, and together they led the family business into a different era.

The shipbuilding industry in the area declined, shops and banks transformed their image, and polished shop fronts gave way to other materials. However, the business sector continued to need our traditional skills. During an era of industrial excellence in the North East, solid wood furniture was still the choice of many offices and boardrooms such as ICI and British Steel.

Of course, looking after antique and contemporary domestic furniture has also always been an important part of our work, even though trends come and go. Charles Newmarch French Polishing is still the most entrusted company to finish, restore and maintain the furniture and fittings of private homes both grand and modest throughout the North East.

Now there is resurgence in interest in heritage crafts, and of the value of restoring and maintaining beautiful wood. Popular TV programmes such as The Repair Shop showcase some of the amazing skills that craftspeople such as ours have, and highlight the painstaking work and care that we take to restore much loved furniture and artefacts.

Restoration Specialists Based In Middlesbrough

Our Managing Director, Graham Newmarch, leads a team of experienced craftsmen in our long established company. Graham joined Charles Newmarch French Polishing Ltd over 40 years ago in 1979. Like his father before him, he first served a traditional apprenticeship before becoming workshop foreman and then a partner in the company, leading it into Ltd status in 2006.

Examples of Graham’s craftsmanship can be found throughout the UK, Europe, and as far away as the USA.

Graham has been responsible for training a number of people over the years in the specialist skills of French polishing and furniture restoration. For over twenty years he also taught in adult education, sharing his passion and increasing the understanding and appreciation of this traditional craft amongst his many students.

For thoroughly experienced furniture polishers or architectural finishers, choose Charles Newmarch French Polishing Ltd – we are contactable via email.