prop hire


metroretro has always been
involved with prop hire,
supplying pieces from stock
for Film, TV, Theatre,
Installation and Exhibition use.
 This is an area of the business
which is to be expanded to
include ultimately the hire of the
 warehouse space itself.
 Below is a selection of the sort
 of things available.
 For an exhaustive look
 at the stock we recommend
 a visit to the warehouse.
1950s French Jielde light 1950s French Jielde light
polished steel French industrial light by Jielde


1930s shoe factory trolley 1930s shoe factory trolley

A rare all wooden five tier shoe factory trolley, waxed finish. 122cm wide x 36cm deep x 138cm high, 19cm opening between racks.




1950s Mole Richardson spotlight 1950s Mole Richardson spotlight
A polished aluminium Mole Richardson studio light with original shutters on height adjustable steel and cast iron stand. The light has been re-fitted with a domestic bulbholder and re-wired with period style braided flex. It retains its original bakelite 'on/off ' switch. Close up image available on request.


L'Occitane press event L'Occitane press event
Our sculptors platform steps on hire for a L'Occitane press event


L'Occitane press event L'Occitane press event
Our wooden shoe factory trolley and luggage out on hire for a L'Occitane press event produced by Urban Caprice


Georgian wingback armchair Georgian wingback armchair

A Georgian armchair with its original rough hessian lining, some stuffing coming through and the wooden frame is visible in some places, a great visual piece.




vintage industrial wooden bobbins vintage industrial wooden bobbins

extra large oak bobbins from a Yorkshire textile mill, painted ends, 40cm high x 18cm dia ends.small quantity available to hire.




L'Occitane press event L'Occitane press event
Our folding French bakery shelving on hire at a L'Occitane press event


hardwood plinths hardwood plinths
We have six of these hardwood plinths, originally used as safe stands, 60-70cm sq x 30cm high


1930s Louis style sofa 1930s Louis style sofa

A decorative mahogany framed sofa with faded pink upholstery




range of factory steps and platforms range of factory steps and platforms
a selection of fixed steps and steps with platforms, all original and dating from the late 19th - early 20th C


desk props desk props
vintage desk fan, typewriter, machinist chairs and factory clock 


vintage luggage vintage luggage

We have a range of suitcases and trunks always available, leather and canvas examples




mannequin group mannequin group
An early 20th C male mannequin grouped with a Victorian cast iron window frame


double sided station clock with mill rollers double sided station clock with mill rollers
a giant station clock together with some of a collection of textile mill fabric drums and a giant spanner


sculptors steps with platform sculptors steps with platform
A set of wooden sculptors steps with raised platform, from a selction of ladders and trestles available to hire


1930s wooden pigeon holes 1930s wooden pigeon holes
A substantial set of wooden pigeon holes from a Sheffield tool factory, each compartment has its original hand written label, can be hired accessorised or empty.


leather horse with cargo chains leather horse with cargo chains
One of two vintage leather horses used for transporting hides around shoe factories, together with a heavyweight set of iron chains, from a selection of chains, hoists and large old workshop tools


1920s harp 1920s harp
a floor standing harp, only four strings present but a good visual piece.


1930s steel museum cabinet 1930s steel museum cabinet
Originally from a museum in Manchester this is a very unusual cabinet in that it is made from steel rather than wood. Lockable if required, with a lift up lid. The cabinet has been polished and lacquered.198cm wide. 


1950s sun loungers 1950s sun loungers
classic 50s shaped tubular steel framed loungers with canvas seats and teak arm rests, two positions.


1930s PEL tubular steel chairs 1930s PEL tubular steel chairs
polished tubular steel frames with saddle hide slung seats and backs, set of four available


1930s PEL tubular steel chairs 1930s PEL tubular steel chairs
set of four 1930s PEL chairs with polished tubular steel frames and slatted oak seats and backs


1950s Du-Al stacking chairs 1950s Du-Al stacking chairs

A set of 32 matching stacking chairs by Du-Al , original worn paintwork with composite seats and backs. All in good condition with their original transfer badges on the back of each chair.




L'Occitane press event L'Occitane press event
factory steps and machinist chairs on hire for a press lauch for L'Occitane


19th C blacksmiths workbench 19th C blacksmiths workbench

A polished cast iron blacksmiths workbench with leg brace type vice, Southwark makers mark in raised lettering on base




set of eight matching 1930s machinist chairs set of eight matching 1930s machinist chairs
A lovely set of eight fixed height factory chairs in original condition, steel frames, wooden seats and backs, dating from the 1930s these chairs were originally from  the Bryant and Tucker embroidery factory in Warwick.


large French style country table large French style country table
A substantial French style country table, elm legs with a wide planked pine top, 360cm long. The legs are removable for installation.


1930s trestle table 1930s trestle table
A 244cm long plank top trestle table, freestanding wooden trestles.


1930s pillar drill on stand 1930s pillar drill on stand
A polished cast iron hand operated pillar drill on a cast iron stand, stand also available to hire separately.


changing room bench with hooks changing room bench with hooks
A 'back to back' style wooden changing room bench with a double row of numbered hooks


1930s stockman and dressmaker mannequins 1930s stockman and dressmaker mannequins
A collection of period mannequins on wooden or metal stands


set of ten vintage tea chests set of ten vintage tea chests
ten vintage tea chests, all with writing relating to tea production and import, ideal as plinths.


1950s bamboo bar 1950s bamboo bar
a classic 50s kidney shaped bamboo bar with three shelves to rear.


school coat rack school coat rack
wooden freestanding coat rack with two rows of hooks


set of six tubular steel and ply chairs set of six tubular steel and ply chairs
set of six tubular steel and ply chairs (example in foreground), a good set to use in addition to the PEL chairs also on this page.