Announcement · 1st November 2025
Under new ownership.
After forty years of framing in Alnwick, Mick Davison hands The Framing Department over to Callum Barnes — a smooth handover and a great start.
Read the full announcementEst. 1986 · Alnwick, Northumberland
Bespoke picture framing,
made by hand in Alnwick.
Frame making, glass cutting and mount cutting — the craft of a specialist Alnwick studio with forty years of experience. Now under new ownership.
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Bespoke services
Frame MakingGlass CuttingMount CuttingShirt & MemorabiliaEst. 1986Made in Alnwick
BespokeHand-FinishedMountedUV ProtectedCut to OrderAppointment Preferred
Picture FramingPhotographsSports ShirtsWatercoloursOriginalsPrintsMirrors
Our Services
Four bespoke services. Forty years of expertise.
The studio
A studio with forty years of expertise.
Mick Davison began framing in 1986 and built The Framing Department into one of Northumberland’s most trusted bespoke framers. In November 2025, Callum Barnes took over — bringing fresh energy while honouring the skill and care that made this business what it is.
Read the full story
About Us
Whatever the subject, we can frame it.
Our framing is carried out to suit the requirements of your particular job. This includes a multitude of subjects such as prints, photographs, fabrics, original media (watercolour, oil, pastel etc.), 3-D items, sports shirts and memorabilia etc. There is very little that can't be framed these days. Please come and talk to us about your work, and we will explain what we can do and prepare a quote. We also hand finish mouldings (and occasionally mount boards) using paints and waxes to achieve some superb finishes.
Some clients know exactly what they're after, whereas others haven't any idea at all. There will be no pressure no obligation to proceed whatsoever.
It is often possible to source specific materials for a specific job. You could even supply your own paint which we can then apply to a moulding, and distress or wax etc. The possibilities are extensive.
Picture framing in Alnwick
A family business since 1986.
The Framing Department is a family owned and managed picture framing business based in Ventex House, on the Willowburn Trading Estate in Alnwick. Husband and wife team Mick and Amanda Davison have worked together over the years to provide a friendly, high quality, bespoke picture framing service. We have easy access and limited short-term parking.
Mick has been framing since 1986. He was joined by Amanda in early 2006 when they set up and opened The Old School Gallery in Alnmouth, before concentrating solely on picture framing again in 2013 and relocating to Alnwick in May 2014.
After 40 years of framing, Mick realised he needed a change and a rest. The business has been sold to a very capable young fella called Callum Barnes, who is the new owner. They've been working together since September 2025 and Callum has had a great start, with very nice work coming in.
Mick strongly believes that through time, Callum will take the business up a level — and he wishes him the best of success.
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Mouldings stocked
Appt.
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Our process
How the process usually works.
A bespoke framing project usually moves through five stages — from your first visit to the finished piece leaving the studio.
Appointment preferred — never by accident
01
Consultation
You bring in the artwork or object and we discuss it together — there is no pressure, and no obligation to proceed.
- Style
- Budget
- Where it will hang
- Conservation needs
02
Material selection
We help you choose materials suited to the piece and the room it is going in.
- Moulding profile
- Frame finish
- Mount colour and depth
- Glazing type — standard, UV, museum glass, non-reflective, etc.
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Measurement & construction
Everything is cut specifically for the piece — there are no off-the-shelf sizes here.
- Frame joins
- Mount apertures
- Backing
- Spacers
- Hanging systems
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Assembly
The artwork is mounted carefully — no glue, no pins where they aren't needed — to avoid any damage or stress.
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Finishing
Cleaning, sealing, checking alignment, and preparing the piece for display. We then contact you when your order is ready.
We often handle the tricky or unusual jobs that chains won't easily touch.
- Jerseys
- Medals
- Signed memorabilia
- 3D objects
- Oversized artwork
- Delicate paper
- Sentimental items
Recent work
From the studio.
A glimpse at finished pieces that have left the Alnwick framing room recently — every one cut, mounted and framed by hand.
Reviews
Trusted by clients across Northumberland.
“Callum did an outstanding job framing my grandmother's watercolour. The attention to detail was exceptional — the glass choice alone made a huge difference.”
“I can highly recommend The Framing Department. I had a picture that was painted by my mother-in-law which had a broken frame. I really didn't know what type of frame would go with the picture and my room, so I took the picture along with some photos of the room along and Mick helped me choose a frame, which suits the picture and the room perfectly. I am very happy with the result. The frame is made from high quality materials to a high standard.”
“Had my signed Newcastle United shirt framed here. Looks absolutely incredible. Highly recommend.”
“Really good quality work and a friendly couple.”
“Brilliant service — I had no idea what I wanted and they guided me through every option with no pressure whatsoever.”
“Excellent service, would highly recommend.”
“Took a 1920s pastel in for reglazing. Came back looking like it had been freshly painted. Lovely people, fair price.”
“Friendly, helpful, knowledgable and a proper top quality service.”
“Friendly, helpful, reasonable price, professional service, understanding, quality is excellent. Open 3 days a week but contact can be made via email etc.”
“Got two old mirrors done — they look stunning. Will use you again, thanks Laurence.”
“Great place, great people, great work and very clever people.”
“I have used Mick for years to frame my professional photography products and I'm very happy — and so are my customers. Great to have a quality local business to make use of.”
“Picked up a picture from Mick today. He has made a few frames for me in the past and always produces top quality at a fair price. Highly recommended!”
Find us
The studio in Alnwick.
Opening Hours
When you can find us.
- Monday – Friday10am – 4pm
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
- Bank HolidaysClosed
Appointment preferred — please check we are here before visiting.
Get In Touch
Make an enquiry.
Studio
Ventex House, Willowburn Trading Estate, Alnwick NE66 2PF
Hours
Mon–Fri 10am–4pm · Closed weekends