Gloucester chandlery service by R&B Canal Art, together a range of nautical giftware, canal art, painted canalware, sign-writing and boat decorating.

Located close to the West Quay at Gloucester Docks, you will find R&B Canal Art who offer an extensive selection of chandlery to narrowboat and canal boat owners using the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, River Severn and Gloucester Docks itself. The business can also arrange to post items anywhere in the UK.

Chandlery items stocked by R&B Canal Art to allow you to maintain or completely fit out a canal boat include narrowboat accessories, oils and greases, fuses, batteries, pumps, life jackets, ropes, fenders and chimneys. Bestsellers include Blue chemical toilet fluid and smokeless anthracite coal!

The business is owned by the local couple of Richard Twinning and Barbara Gabb who are well qualified to offer expert advice to boat owners, being both canal enthusiasts and owning a restored canal narrowboat which is moored locally. Both Richard and Barbara are also keen supporters in the restoration of the Cotswold Canals.

Based within Upstairs Downstairs Antiques Emporium in Severn Road, it is difficult to accurately describe the broad range of products and services offered by R&B Canal Art in a simple sentence, as this Gloucester chandlery business has so many interesting and fascinating aspects to it.

Fenders, ropes and life jackets can all be purchased from R&B Canal Art.

Nautical giftware, canal art, canalware, sign-writing, canal crafts, boat decorating, books and practical courses in boat painting are all available through R&B Canal Art.

By visiting the recently extended showroom premises, you will see the beautiful canal art and canalware that Barbara herself has painted including water cans, buckets, scuttles, watering cans, teapots and rolling pins. Although many of the items are designed to be used on a canal narrowboat, they look fantastic around the home and garden and so make a great gift for someone special.

Attractive canal art and canalware on sale in the R&B Canal Art showroom.

Barbara trains with the Waterways Craft Guild which is overseen by Dave Moore and Phil Speight (who worked with Ron Hough). The traditional paintwork is often referred to as 'roses and castles' as the painting regularly features Moorish castles and bunches of roses.

Happy to take commissions and bespoke orders for boat painting and canal art, whether you are looking to have a flower trough, coal scuttle, cabin door or an entire boat painted, Barbara would be very pleased to receive your enquiry. She can paint in a traditional design or maybe something more modern if you prefer.

A painted canal boat door panel in 'roses and castles' style although Barbara is very happy to work to your design.

Sign-writing is another popular request to R&B Canal Art and this service isn't limited to skillfully painting the name onto your canal boat. Richard and Barbara regularly receive commissions to paint house name plaques, door numbers and business signs.

If after seeing the wonderful products on show in the R&B Canal Art showroom, you fancy having a go with a brush and a pot of paint yourself, why not enrol on one of the regular painting courses held on a Sunday morning at the workshop. The cost of the two hour course is just £30.00 and all materials are included.

In February 2012, R&B Canal Art held a well attended two day 'Roses and Castles' painting course at Slimbridge which was tutored by Dave Moore. Another two day course in 'narrowboat painting' is scheduled to take place at the Tudor Arms at Slimbridge on the 13th and 14th October 2012. The cost is £100 per person, to include all materials. Once again, the course will be tutored by Dave Moore. Places are limited, so download a booking form to reserve your place. Please get in touch with R&B Canal Art to find out about other similar courses planned for the future.

R&B Canal Art are running introduction workshops at Stroud on Water 2012 in painting 'Roses and Castles'. The cost is £35 per person and all materials are included. The Festival runs on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th June 2012 on the playing field at Marling School just outside of Stroud town centre. Download a booking form to reserve your place.

Some of Barbara's canal art work including a coal scuttle and a water can that she has restored for Reed Hotel Boats.

Richard runs a handyman and odd job man service to householders (and boat owners) throughout the Gloucestershire area. Richard can turn his experienced hand to most indoor and outdoor maintenance jobs, so don't put up with that leaking tap or overgrown hedge any longer. Often a cliché with handymen, but really, no job is too small!

Whatever your interest in R&B Canal Art, Richard and Barbara look forward to receiving your enquiry and seeing you at the showroom within Upstairs Downstairs Antiques Emporium in Severn Road.

Although the showroom is open from 10am till 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am till 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday, Richard and Barbara are not always there themselves. If you wish to speak to either Richard or Barbara, please contact them on (01453) 822503 or 07974 705830 or send a message via email to avoid disappointment, particularly if making a special journey to R&B Canal Art.