A mechanic and a florist are amongst railway arch businesses in Windsor with Royal connections preparing to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June. 

The most illustrious Royal connection comes from M&T Engineering. A longstanding business that has been in the local community since 1968, in January 2000 the business was awarded the Royal Warrant for Vehicle Servicing and Repairs.  

The MOT garage on Alma Road is looking forward to marking the Jubilee weekend this year. M&T Engineering’s Co-Founder Ashley Traynor said, “We are incredibly proud to have kept the Royal Warrant for over 22 years. As a business, we will of course be paying homage to the Queen. We will be decorating our arch with bunting and then making the most of the long weekend! We are so proud of our special connection to Her Majesty and what she has achieved during her reign – and hope to see many of our loyal customers at the lighting of the beacon, and the Long Walk Picnic.” 

A second railway arch business is proving integral to the town’s Jubilee celebrations Florist Lavender Green, located on Bridgewater Way, is well-known throughout Windsor. Many florists find keeping flowers fresh in summer a real challenge, but due to the construction of the arches, this business can cope better – and in a more sustainable way – as they find their flowers stay fresh.  

This sustainability-first approach is something Lavender Green prides itself on. Over 75% of their wastage now being used to support their excellent charitable endeavours, with their pre-loved flowers supplying blooms to local hospices, assisted living care homes, Berkshire baby bank, schools and nurseries thanks to help from their established network of 90 community volunteers. The florist has even raised money via their plant fostering programme to purchase vital rowing equipment, meaning that Windsor Boys Boat Club will be able to race at Henley Regatta in July. 

Babs Barnes, Head of Marketing at Lavender Green said, “We are thrilled to be bouncing back to our first full summer since Covid – and Windsor is such a special place to be. We supply flowers for Royal Windsor Horse Show, Royal Ascot, Queens, Wimbledon and local weddings at venues such as Cowarth Park. This all comes from our humble railway arch. Now with the Jubilee, we are finding demand has rocketed and we are providing flowers for street parties across the town!” 

The Arch Company recently confirmed they will be investing significantly into Windsor’s railway arches, with works already underway as demand for centrally located spaces proves to be strong. The £200 million development plan, Project 1000, is bringing 1,000 empty or derelict arches into use, so that small businesses similar to M&T Engineering and Lavender Green can move into the arches. The ambition is to create more spaces for businesses to thrive in the heart of communities. 

The Arch Company’s Lettings Manager Nick Vaile said, “Windsor’s arches play a critical role to the local town past and present. The Royal Warrant award showcases just how highly these businesses are valued by all. We are working on finalising additional business space in the town centre for future businesses to enjoy, and we are eager to speak to anyone eager to rent one of our arches. Please do get in touch”. 

The branch line from Slough to Windsor Station – now Windsor & Eton Central Station – opened in 1849. The elevation of the railway alongside Alexandra Gardens was supposedly so Queen Victoria could disembark the Royal Train on the same level as the entrance to Windsor Castle. The station was rebuilt by Great Western Railway for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. 125 years later the viaduct is home to dozens of independent small businesses.  

For more information about Windsor’s arches to rent, please visit our available spaces here.