Making a throne fit for Richard III’s burial

Margan Ltd is designing the leather work for a throne that will be used during the burial of Richard III, which takes place in Leicester Cathedral today.

The throne will be occupied by the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester who is leading the service, following the discovery of the medieval king’s bones in a city car park.

Rev Stevens will be sat in the throne at times during the service, which is being broadcast live on Channel 4.

Margan Ltd sales director Jane Margan said: “There was a competition running to design the throne and we were approached by a company called Benchmark (who make furniture).

“We work with them and they asked us if we would like to do the leather work.

“We were originally given ten days to complete this project but then it was reduced to four.

“In this case, we hand-stitched the leather so it did take us a long time.

“The throne is very brightly coloured - lime green, yellow and orange so it stands out.”

The company, established in 1984 and based in the Titan Studio at Chilton Business Centre does leather work for a number of clients based in London.

Mrs Margan said: “We have worked on items which are displayed in London at places including Harrods, the Gherkin and Gina Shoes and the VIP area of Sushi Samba.

“We have also done the leather work on items in some apartments in Hyde Park - the price tag on some of those places is unbelievable!

“Most of our work does have a commercial edge to it.

“There is a team of six that work here - five of us are upholsterers and there is one seamstress.”

The company was established by Paul Margan who trained as a saddler before going on to make gun cases for Purdy and Holland & Holland.

Mrs Margan said none of the team would be at the service but that they would be watching on television.