With the Autumn Long Point show upon us once again (15-17th September), Furniture News' Paul Farley revisits the exclusive supplement published with June's issue that explores the rich community of furniture businesses working in Long Eaton …
What do you associate with Long Eaton? High-end sofas? The Long Point show? British brands?
Having visited many times, I’ve come to appreciate that, behind the upholstery for which the town is best known, there’s a deeper world of interconnecting industry – from frame, spring and fabric suppliers, to training and tech specialists, and a host of other furniture manufacturers going about their business.
And I’ve seen a growing number of furniture brands choosing to establish permanent showrooms there. Business is magnetic – where one is successful, there will be more – but ask any of the newcomers, and you’ll find that they’re also drawn by the bricks of the mills, and the very fabric of the town itself. Perhaps what best characterises Long Eaton is the way so many furniture brands, big and small, have created world-class showrooms in sympathy with their industrial surroundings, resulting in a unique setting for intimate, welcoming, on-trend furniture buying.
In this Furniture News supplement, you’ll find a glimpse of those showrooms, a brief history of the town’s industry, and a more comprehensive directory of its businesses. There are also viewpoints from local MP Adam Thompson, WEBS Training, and The Furniture Makers’ Company, plus perspectives from some of its newer inhabitants.
I’d like to thank the people working in and around the town who helped guide this supplement, including Siren’s Andrew Kerr, Chris Carson at Harrington Mills, Tim Robinson (Hartmann) and Orbital’s Rob Walker. I’d especially like to single out Artistic Upholstery’s Andrew Mitchell – also chairman of the Long Eaton Guild of Furniture Manufacturers – for his ongoing support. Having been pivotal in securing the town’s recognition as the UK Centre of Quality Upholstery Manufacture in 2015, Andrew has long chaired the guild, working closely with local institutions to fly the industry’s flag, and co-ordinating its biannual Long Point exhibitions. The time and effort he puts into doing so is commendable, and our trade needs more like him.
This supplement aims to help put the town’s furniture businesses well and truly on the trade’s map, and to encourage readers to pay Long Eaton a visit – be it during Long Point, or (by appointment in most cases) at any other time. There’s a wealth of people and product there all year round, and when you’re surrounded by so much quality furniture and warm hospitality, it’s good to be able to take your time!
Trust me – there’s a lot more to this town than you might think. Hopefully our publication helps give this ‘furniture hub’ the place in the sun it truly deserves.
Read the supplement here, and find out more about this month's Long Point show here.
