Well-known Isle of Wight antiques expert, TV personality and TikTok sensation John Wright has come out of retirement at the age of 84 to take over Corner House Antiques in Shanklin.
Less than a year after stepping away from the antiques trade, John has decided retirement simply isn’t for him and will officially take over the business on the edge of Shanklin Old Village from Tuesday 4th August.
It is far from the first time John has abandoned retirement. Having moved to the Isle of Wight at the age of 65 following a 45-year career running hairdressing businesses in West Sussex, he lasted just 6 months before opening a salon on Victoria Road.
That business would eventually evolve into Victoria Antiques, which later relocated to Regent Street and became one of the Island’s best-known antiques businesses. Along the way, John established himself as one of the region’s leading experts in coins, banknotes, gold and silver, appeared 6 times on television alongside the Antiques Road Trip teams and built a large following on TikTok through his pioneering weekly live online auctions.
John says he is delighted to be returning to the antiques trade with the support of his family.
John Wright said:
“Retirement just wasn’t for me, and I am incredibly excited to get back in the saddle doing what I love.
“Age and technology have never been a barrier for me. With my daughters Jennie and Denise working right alongside me, we are ready to build something truly special at Corner House Antiques.”
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The new venture will be a family affair, with John bringing decades of specialist valuation knowledge to the business. Daughter Jennie will lead trader management, social media and marketing, while Denise will oversee the day-to-day running of the shop.
Corner House Antiques will continue its established model of renting space to independent traders, with the new owners now inviting additional dealers to join the business.
The shop will also reintroduce John’s trusted gold and silver buying service, alongside the purchase and valuation of coin collections and other collectables.
The Wright family will officially take over the running of Corner House Antiques on Tuesday 4th August, with trading continuing uninterrupted to ensure there is no disruption for existing traders or customers.
