Why buying British is best

We’re not just a nation of shopkeepers you know – we have a strong furniture manufacturing industry that has been thriving for decades, in fact in some cases for centuries.

Did you know that the United Kingdom is home to some of the finest bed makers in the world? And that the Nottinghamshire area is virtually the epicentre of upholstery manufacture?

As we battle the dreaded coronavirus our world is contracting; travel is difficult and imports become unreliable, and the whole is having a devastating effect on our economy. By keeping things local we help our local community, and it has been noticeable here that during this crisis Bath communities have re-discovered their local resources and helped the local economy. I am sure this has happened across the country. Yes, there is the internet, but this isn’t always the answer.

From a global point of view, we need to bolster our national economy, and now more than ever we need to look at what this country can offer us. People are quick to moan about how rubbish we are at everything, but this just isn’t true – what is true is that we aren’t very good at blowing our own trumpet!

If you are looking for a new bed this country is home to Vispring, Hypnos and Harrison Spinks – all of whom have a long heritage in high quality bed manufacture and a strong environmental ethos too. Vispring are based down in Plymouth and employ a team of highly skilled craftspeople from the local area. Although they source their interior fillings from around the world, a key element is pure Shetland fleece wool. They have just created a new film about their mattresses which is worth a look: https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/vispring/
There is up to 30% off Vispring beds at the moment and Vispring are also offering 2 FREE PILLOWS when you buy a 4’6 or larger divan set at the moment – ask in the store for details of this summer promotion.

Hypnos are another iconic British bed brand, based in Princes Risborough they have also been making beds for over 100 years. Hypnos is still owned and run by the Keen family, and they hold a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, reinforcing their reputation for service excellence and the very best of British quality. We keep a good selection of Hypnos beds on display, in fact more than are shown on our website so it is always worth venturing in to the store if you can: https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/hypnos/
We have 20% off all our Hypnos beds in-store at the moment.

Taking things a step further is Harrison Spinks, who also rear their own sheep for the wool in their luxury mattresses. Their factory is in Yorkshire, and you may have seen how they create their mattresses on BBC’s ‘Inside the Factory’ programme last year – it was fascinating seeing how they cleverly pack the mattresses with more and more springs and soft fillings. Harrison Spinks have recently teamed up with Adam Henson who you may know from BBC’s Countryfile, and have together produced a superb range of mattresses featuring rare breed wools sourced by Adam: https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/harrison/adam-henson-by-harrison-spinks/
There is up to 30% off Harrison beds at the moment

If you are able to travel into the midlands you won’t be able to move for sofa manufacturers. This is no idle jest, Parker Knoll, Collins & Hayes, Duresta, David Gundry, Gascoigne Designs and Acclaim Upholstery are just a few of the key brands based in the Nottinghamshire area. Having a strong industry centre makes a lot of sense as you end up with a good number of highly skilled people also based there. But you will also find sofa manufacturers dotted around the country, with Tetrad for example, up in Preston and G Plan down the road from us in Melksham.

Most people recognise the name Parker Knoll. They are now over 150 years old, and began furnishing the homes of Victorian gentry, moving through to involvement in the war effort and manufacturing the first new generation recliners during the 1960s. They now offer a wide range of styles, with something to suit most tastes and budgets. https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/parker-knoll/
All our Parker Knoll furniture has 25% off at the moment.

Duresta and Collins & Hayes offer a similar level of quality and style, with elegant, classic looks and great attention to detail. Collins & Hayes are one of the few manufacturers to offer proper loose cover sofas (their Lavinia collection), which are a practical option if your sofa needs regular cleaning. We have recently added Duresta’s Trafalgar sofa to our showroom displays which looks very elegant. Trafalgar is part of their English Classics National Trust collection and is characterised by a deep seat and high back, with hinged arms that can drop down to form a day bed – like the one Lord Nelson used on HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar. https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/duresta/
Collins & Hayes has 20% off just now as well as a free size upgrade offer and half price loose covers (ts & cs apply, but please get in touch if you would like more details). Duresta goes one better with 25% off at moment, and the offer of a FREE FOOTSTOOL when you buy 5 seats from their Southsea collection.

If you aspire to the very best this country has to offer, you can’t do much better than a Gascoigne Designs sofa. Situated in Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire, Gascoigne Designs is dedicated to producing truly outstanding furniture designs with exquisite detailing and crafted in sumptuous upholstery fabrics. https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/sofas-chairs/fabric-ranges/victoria/
We have 20% off all our Gascoigne sofas and chairs at the moment.

Tetrad have been making gorgeous sofas and chairs for over 50 years now. Based in Lancashire, their team of experienced craftspeople hand make each piece with meticulous attention to detail. We feature their Harris Tweed collections which are traditional in design and available in a choice of beautiful, genuine Harris tweed fabrics. https://www.trhayes.co.uk/product-category/brands/tetrad/
We always keep our Tetrad collections competitively priced, and there are further discounts on most models at the moment.

I have just focussed on bed and upholstery brands here, but even these are very much the tip of the iceberg – I haven’t had space to talk about Ercol, Alstons, Sherborne Upholstery, Celebrity Furniture, Vale Bridgecraft, Mammoth mattresses and Moonraker beds. This is not to forget all the cabinet makers and of course the many British carpet and fabric makers this country is home to. So please help us to start blowing the trumpet for great British furniture!