A FAMILY run picture framing firm is celebrating six years in the business by moving into new and larger premises.

The White Wall Gallery and Framers was first set up in Over Hulton by Matthew Carter in May 2016 and since then has gone from strength to strength having just secured a new store on Church Street, Westhoughton.

The firm has even attracted top flight footballers such as Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips, Chelsea's Reece James and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins as clients.

The Bolton News:

Matthew Carter with Manchester United's Jesse Lingard

Mr Carter said: "Many of our clients aren't North West based and travel from all over the UK, which for such a small business in Bolton I still can't believe.

"Not many people had much faith in me buying a framing business as it was 'an old man's game' and as a fully qualified joiner I was going to regret giving up my trade to pursue my passion for framing.

"I use the comments I received as fuel sometimes when things don't work out as I plan and it usually gives me the determination to make it work which is what I've done since I started.

"During the pandemic we really thought we would struggle to keep going as lots of businesses were badly affected, however we ended up much busier than before the pandemic and even struggled to cope with the demand in our older premises at times."

The Bolton News:

Peter Reid has been another visitor to the Bolton business

Mr Carter hopes that the new premises in Westhoughton will give the business even more space to display its wares and to offer customers private parking on site.

He believes this could be a huge boost in attracting more trade.

The Bolton News:

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold looking pleased with his framed England shirt

As the name White Wall suggests, Mr Carter is a huge fan of his local team and is excited to build on his connections with the game by unveiling a new partnership with Bolton Wanderers.

He said: "We've recently started to work for Bolton Wanderers Football Club, framing items for the club shop which was something I'd really wanted to get involved with as most of my family are big Whites fans."