Road bike recommendations

I know this is of virtually no help, but there is another UK frame builder/shop that offers audax frames. I just can't remember for the life of me what they're called. They do a lot of touring bikes I think (not Dawes).

Ellis Briggs?

On the tubing, as tester said £125 is soon forgotten. If costs are a little tight, there are plenty of other places you can trim money from and easily upgrade later - half decent used wheelset for £80, tektro brakes, second hand seatpost, etc.

I am not scrimping too much, I had been thinking about a full Athena alloy groupset to give something of a classic look, solid handbuilt wheels (as I am no featherweight) and a pair of the hammered Velo Orange mudguards to finish.