Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 191

island business

Island Life - December 2010

Grays have it covered
If it’s a quilted rug for a pet pig,

Belgium, and simple heavy duty PVC to

lining a lifeboat boatshed in Cowes

make a cover for a trailer recently. The

or re-upholstering a 1950 Mercedes

restoration of an original horse-drawn

170S cabriolet, Grays Canvas Products,

gypsy caravan, complete with new

makers of bespoke canvas covers,

cover, was another fascinating project

marine and auto upholstery, will rise to

which required specialist knowledge

the challenge.

and materials.

“We do like the varied and unusual

The company now includes the

work that comes through the door

manufacture of auto and marine

these days,” says proprietor Nick Ward.

upholstery and the team will be very

“We have certainly taken on some

pleased to discuss the recovering

work over the last few years that has

of motor cycle seats, the repair or

made us think, but with the depth of

replacement of sports car hoods and

knowledge we have in our team, it has

boat cushions. All upholstery is made

been fun and very interesting.”

to Grays typical high quality standards

Grays Canvas Products produces high

at the company’s base at Blackwater

quality covers for protection against

using only the best materials available.

the elements. All covers are made to

Please call 525221 for more

measure using a variety of top quality

information.

materials. Grays used their latest
material, a sand coloured canvas, to
cover a bespoke outdoor kitchen in

20 years of service
RM Associates, based in Bembridge,

signal box. Laurence

has built a strong reputation for first

explained: “The first

class architectural services since it was

phase entailed restoring

established 20 years ago.

the waiting room to a

The company was founded by Robin

museum, and a tea room

Maconchy, now director and property

suitable for members of

consultant, who works alongside

the public.

fellow director Laurence Hibberd,

“The second phase,

a chartered architect, and senior

completed last year,

technicians John Pitcher and Michael

was the restoration of

Ryan.

buildings of the central platform and

RM Associates undertake architectural

the signal box, which is now open to

services across the Island, as well as

the p