M&S turns back time

Northbrook Street landmark is returned after refurbishment

SHOPPERS in Northbrook Street may have noticed the return of a local landmark as the Marks & Spencer clock was reinstated following its refurbishment.

The clock, which has been overlooking Newbury’s main shopping street since the store opened in May 1935, was taken away at the beginning of the year by bespoke clock makers, Smith of Derby, to be restored.

The company, which has been making and restoring clocks for almost 160 years, had initially intended to repair the clock on site.

However, after an inspection revealed the inner workings of the clock were so badly corroded it was decided that the high street landmark would have to be taken away and completely restored.

Martin Butchers, of Smith of Derby, said: “It was in a very, very sorry state.

“When we got up to the clock it was still working, but the inside had corroded away badly so we recommended it was brought down from the building and taken to the workshop.”

Experts at Smith of Derby then set about fully restoring the piece, which involved shot-blasting all the parts and manufacturing new parts to replace those that could not be repaired.

The fluorescent tubes that lit the clock were replaced with LEDs before the restored timepiece was reassembled and returned to its home in Northbrook Street last week.

The clock now just needs to be rewired to the store’s electrics to be back in fully working order.

M&S Newbury store manager, Rebecca Robson, said: “We look forward to the clock being fully operational from next week and hope the community once again enjoys this central landmark in Newbury’s town centre.”