The July issue of Interiors Monthly looks at how the industry has responded to the coronavirus pandemic: from retailers, agents and exhibition organisers to associations, suppliers and manufacturers.

The organiser of The Flooring Show says it will switch the event to a different venue in Harrogate if the Harrogate Convention Centre remains a Nightingale hospital.

Interior design exhibition Decorex will not take place as a live event this year, instead switching to an online format.

Victoria has given 17 of its senior managers share options totally 1.25million shares which they cannot fully cash in until 2025.

Danish furniture and accessories supplier ferm Living has opened its first showroom, as part of its head office.

Retailers paid their landlords less than 15% of the rent due on quarter day earlier this week. 

The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Co-op executive Pippa Wicks as John Lewis executive director for John Lewis. 

Barker and Stonehouse is urging consumers to buy British-made furniture, as part of an effort to get factories open and preserve the sector.

The National Bed Federation, the trade association for British and Irish bed manufacturers and their suppliers, has appointed a new president following election at its virtual AGM.

Flooring industry support for carpet waste reuse and recycling opportunities in the UK continues to rise, despite an overall 10% decrease in the total amount of carpet waste identified and recorded in 2019 compared to 2018, according to Carpet Recycling UK’s latest achievements report.

This year’s Bed Show, planned for 22-23 September, has been cancelled.

Relaxing the 2m social distancing guidelines in stores would be an ‘unnecessary burden on business, compromise the safety of staff and customers, and create confusion,’ according to shop workers union USDAW.

UK furniture manufacturers saw strong growth last year, but saw exports decline significantly.

Brockway Carpets has partnered with two of the UK largest flooring distribution companies, boosting its delivery service.

The Museum of the Home, formerly the Geffrye Museum of the Home, is consulting over the future of the statue of Sir Robert Geffrye which adorns the building amid his links to the slave trade.

Cabinet supplier Kettle Interiors has reshuffled its management.

Six store furniture and flooring chain Lee Longlands has gone into administration, with the company blaming the coronavirus shutdown.

Foam products and mattress producer GNG Group has recruited a retail sales team as it prepares to enter the vacuum-packed mattress market.

Dunelm is to roll out online video shopping for consumers who are unable or unwilling to visit stores.

Upholstery manufacturer Leolux has recruited the founders of Rotterdam-based design agency Studio Truly Truly as art directors.

High street retail footfall was almost 40% lower for stores in England that opened on Monday, with overall footfall down almost-two thirds.

Design London, the re-invented 100% Design exhibition, has been cancelled for 2020.

Abingdon Flooring has appointed Joe King as Midlands East regional manager.

Four months after opening its flagship London store Italian furniture brand Rimadesio has opened a second showroom in England.

Oak Furnitureland has been bought by an investment management firm for an undisclosed sum in a pre-pack administration deal.

Ikea is to repay furlough financial support it received from nine governments.

Animal right charity PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has names the winners of its 2020 Vegan Homeware Awards.

Furniture Village has named Dr Ranj Singh as its first sleep ambassador and centrepiece of its latest TV advertising campaign.

Argos is to operate on a click and collect basis only when it begins re-opening stores today.

Heal’s will re-open its final two branches – located in shopping centres – on Monday.

London interiors store Sweetpea and Willow is to re-open its 8,000sqft Isleworth, West London showroom on 16 June on an appointment only basis.

Timothy Oulten has refitted its flagship London store ahead of its 15 June re-opening.

Millbrook Beds has completed the production of 50,000 non-sterile gowns for the NHS, in the past four weeks after taking on 40 new staff.

Dunelm has opened a concept high street store with a localised product mix.

Almost a third of mattresses, divans and headboards failed flammability tests in the National Bed Federations latest due diligence random testing.

The Brussels Furniture Fair has moved to reassure potential exhibitors over the future of November’s exhibition.

Flooring chain Tapi’s latest fundraising round from shareholders has raised almost £10m.

Industry training body Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Allience has boosted its membership with the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation becoming its latest member.

Mattress company Emma has sold its millionth mattress well ahead of schedule and raised its sales forecast for 2020 by 20%.

Retailers will have to allow almost three times as much space to shoppers as social distancing requires if they have more than one customer in-store, according to a study.

London retailer SCP and manufacturer SCP is to switch to an appointments only system when its two stores re-open on 16 June.

Wren Kitchens is to resume its store expansion rollout with the aim on reaching more than 100 branches by the end of the year.

The organiser of The Flooring Show has confirmed that the exhibition will return to Harrogate in September.

Thousands of shoppers queued for hours to shop at Ikea after it reopened 19 branches in England and Northern Ireland yesterday.

Once again in the Interiors MonthlyAwards, we want you to tell us which retailers, manufacturers and suppliers are the best in the interiors industry. As ever, the criteria to base your vote on is entirely up to you. Download a the entry form and email it to . As well as having your say, casting your vote gives you the chance to win a superb hamper from Fortnum & Mason. Voting closes on 30 June. 

Topps Tiles has sold its head office and central warehouse to raise £18m.

FIRA International has begun resuming home visits by its service technicians with the aim of completing the return by the end of the month.

Harrison Spinks has resumed manufacturing at its Leeds facility.

Carpetright says its has too many stores in the Republic of Ireland and will look to reduce the number in the face of falling sales.

John Lewis enjoyed strong sales of outdoor furniture and beds in the past week, but it wasn’t enough to lift home sales into positive territory.

Carpetright has seen UK like for like sales growth return in the past two months.

Furniture fittings supplier Häfele has opened a second showroom as it rolls out its design partner scheme. 

The number of houses sold in the UK fell last month, compared with 2018.

Dunelm has raised its full-year profit forecast for the second time since April on the back of strong sales in May and June.

The Carpet Foundation is set to introduce a series of ‘added value offers’ for its members in the coming months. 

Bed chain Dreams enjoyed a double-digit increase in profits in the past year.

Upholstery retailer and manufacturer The Sofa & Chair Company has refurbished its west London showroom, increasing the number of roomsets to 130.

Increased bedroom sales helped John Lewis lift home sales in the past week.

 Upholstery manufacturer Lebus is looking to recruit 15 apprentices, offering a guaranteed job offer available after training.

Bed manufacturer Vispring has redesigned its space within Harrods’ bed department.

Kitchen retailers NTP Kitchens and sister company Crosby Kitchens have gone into receivership and liquidation respectively. NTP has two showrooms in Aberdeen while Crosby operated from Rotherham.

Sales promotion company Greenwood Retail has reached the landmark figure of 1,000 sales events.

Ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturer Iris Ceramica Group is to open a London showroom next week.

Furniture and interiors chain JYSK say sit has seen no evidence of the decline in retail park footfall in May.

John Lewis saw home sales rise in the past week.

Luxury British lighting manufacturer Bert Frank has opened a London showroom.

Silentnight Group has named former Farrow & Ball chief commercial officer Neil Anderson to head the bed manufacturer, succeeding outgoing md Steve Freeman.

Footfall dropped by its largest level in six years in May.

John Lewis has named Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive as its new chairman.

Total retail sales were down 2.7%, the largest decline on record, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

In August 2019, Bristol's Cribbs Causway will be home to a new showroom for Loaf’s signature sofas, beds, handmade furniture and latest laid-back wares.

Even though customers responded well to recent carpet sales at John Lewis, Home sales are still decreasing for the year.

Upholstery manufacturer Alexander & James has recruited Halo’s former head of global sales to grow its export operations.

Furniture retailer Oak Furnitureland has become the latest retailer to launch a range of own-label roll-up mattresses.

Companies now have less than three weeks to enter the Carpet Recycling UK Awards 2019

Homebase is to cut its head office staff by a third as part of parent Hilco’s attempt to return the chain to the black.

A flock of British Wool staff are taking to the hills to raise funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

British Wool has relaunched its website, designed to support its retail and manufacturing partners.

John Lewis has called time on expansion as it warned on profits.

John Lewis has seen upholstery orders jump by more than a third in the first week of its summer sale.

If the 81 stores Carpetright plans to close in September generated an extra two sales a week, they would be profitable but would have to almost double sales to be part of the chain’s core stores.

Carpetright’s ‘year to put behind us’ which lead to its CVA began with a Boxing Day sale that ‘started and never really got going,’ according to Wilf Walsh, Carpetright ceo.

House of Fraser faces a four week wait to find out if it can press ahead with its CVA that will see more than half of its stores close.

Flooring giant Beaulieu International Group has had a major cut to its container transport’s CO2 emissions, by switching to using Flemish waterways rather than road.

The owners of flooring chain Flooring Republic have set out ambitious expansion plans after buying the chain and its wholesale arm from administration.

Buying group Minerva has rebranded itself, dropping its ‘old fashioned’ name.

House of Fraser has received support from its lenders ahead of its CVA vote.

Outdoor living once again delivered for John Lewis in the past week.

Debenhams has again warned that profits will be lower than expected: its third warning this year.

Graduate design exhibition News Designers has secured 43 award sponsors for this year’s awards.

Habitat is to return to Brighton and Hove after a seven year absence as it joins the growing number of interiors retailers at Westfield London.

Interiors industry members from as far as Italy turned out to support The Furniture Makers’ Company’s clay pigeon shoot fundraiser, Big Shots, earlier this month, which raised £24,000 for the charity.

Both the value and volume of retail sales jumped in May, according to official figures.

Flooring retailer The Wooden Floor Store hopes to treble in size by setting up franchises across the country.

John Lewis saw furniture and flooring sales rise in the past week, but it wasn’t enough for an overall home sales rise.

Online furniture and accessories retailer Swoon is to head to the south coast for its latest pop-up shop.

Furniture retailer Loaf is to make its first move into the Midlands next month.

Jonathan Young, Axminster Carpets sales director has become acting md.

David Lee, ceo of upholstery group DM Midlands, immediate parent of Ashley Manor and Alexander & James, has stepped down from his role.

Nine store upholstery retailer Fabb Sofas has gone into administration after failing to find a buyer to rescue it.

Sweet Dreams has recruited a new agent for the South-West of England and South Wales.

Upholstery manufacturer Ultra Furniture has gone into administration after its main customer announced it was closing.

House of Fraser want to trade more than half of its stores at a greatly reduced rent for one final Christmas trading period while ScS faces losing almost half of its House of Fraser concessions.

Carpetright shareholders have rubber-stamped the group’s £60m fundraising, with the new shares to be listed on Friday.

An iconic furniture range by legendary designers John and Sylvia Reid, who designed the Minstrel range for Stag, is being reissued thanks to a collaboration between their son and the son of the original manufacturer.

Ted Morgan, Brockway Carpets area business manager has been named as the 2018 winner of the company’s Roy Annable award.

John Lewis saw sales rise by 0.1% last week and said the performance had been hit by the Bank Holiday’s hot weather.

Retail sales recovered from April’s weather hit performance in May, with the largest increase in almost five years.

September’s Designjunction exhibition is to move from its venue of Kings Cross in London to South Bank of the Thames.

Martin West, former Headlam executive has become md of rug, mat and runner manufacturer William Armes.

Beds and bedroom chain Feather & Black has expanded with a store in Bath.

House of Fraser’s CVA could be in doubt over concerns about its owner’s pledge to invest in the department store chain.

DFS has seen its share price target significantly lowered by an investment bank following its recent profit warning.

French designer furniture retailer Silvera has crossed the Channel to launch its first London showroom on the King’s Road.

Office furniture manufacturer Herman Miller has been awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark.

Carpetright has enjoyed like for like sales growth in recent weeks, as it revealed the impact Tapi is having on performance.

John Lewis saw a double-digit fall in home sales in the past week.

An investigation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) into testing procedures at FIRA International found 'issues which needed to be addressed'.

The annual Big Shots clay pigeon shooting event has raised £23,000 for The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity.

Victoria Carpets is to end carpet production at Kidderminster as part of a manufacturing reorganisation designed to improve efficiency and margins ‘due to rapid growth and continued significant demand for its products.’

Thomas Small, TCS md and Gerald Cutherbertson, Sofa So Good NE director, have formed a new soft cover upholstery company: SSG.

Audio-visual furniture manufacturer Frank Olsen Furniture has secured a contract that will see its new wireless charging bedside cabinet range exclusively in all Bensons for Beds stores from next month.

Flooring company v4 Woodflooring is to invest £3m in a design centre and business start-up units.

Bensons for Beds and Harveys will have a new boss later in the summer.

The National Bed Federation and The Furniture Ombudsman have both recruited new members.

Furnishing group Walker Greenbank has told shareholders that export markets are outperforming the UK and that it has settled its flooding insurance claim.

The lighting industry has been told by the Competition and Markets Authority that it suspects suppliers are engaging in resale price maintenance.

John Lewis again saw a drop in home sales but a major increase in outdoor sales in the past week.

Mattressman owner Andrew Kerry has added to his retail network buying a Norfolk flooring, upholstery and beds business.

The six finalists for the NICF Carpet Fitter of the Year 2017 competition have been announced.

The anti-child and forced labour rug labelling scheme has received a major funding boost from the Modern Slavery Innovation Fund.

A dozen new exhibitors have signed up for next month's Manchester Furniture Show.

Graduate design show New Designers will be sponsored by Sainsbury’s Home with the winner working for the retailer for a year.

Carpet manufacturer Brockway is looking to boost its workforce by 10%, with more growth planned over the coming year.

Shares in the country’s leading interiors companies have dropped after DFS warned investors that trading had ‘weakened beyond expectation’ and profits would be hit.

Upholstery retailer and manufacturer Delcor has received a top industry award

The first hours of trading in Balta Group’s shares have seen a steady start.

John Lewis saw home sales return to growth in the past week.

Brintons is set to lose 60 manufacturing jobs at its Kidderminster plant.

The South West Furniture Manufacturers’ Agent and Representatives Federation has revamped its website.

Ulster Carpets is the most profitable privately-owned interiors company in Northern Ireland.

Edra’s Pack sofa – in which a upholstered polar bear forms a back rest on a pack of ice – has been crowned the best furnishing product a the second Salone del Mobile.Milano Awards.

Silentnight is to continue its sponsorship of professional road cyclist Amy Gornall.

Steinhoff International has seen sales fall at its UK furniture operations but the integrated business model has protected margins.

Recofloor’s summer promotion will offer companies the chance to win Red Letter Day gift vouchers as it looks to continue to boost vinyl recycling.

Bedding manufacturer Trendsetter International has renamed its Estonian operations as it looks to boost exports.

Although seeing a semi-recovery, home sales again fell at John Lewis in the past week.

Retail sales fell back in May amid inflation squeezing spending power and pre-election concerns.

Visitors to The Flooring Show in September could save up to 25% if travelling by train.

Marks & Spencer has made a major recycling commitment over is home and clothing ranges as it introduces a new Plan A.

Months ahead of the show textile exhibition Heimtextil is practically sold out, boosted by several companies returning after an absence.

Upmarket French furniture, lighting, flooring and gift chain Silvera has confirmed a revised opening date for its first journey across the Channel.

Kevin Royal, ScS md is to leave the upholstery and flooring chain.

The owner of flooring group Balta has revealed how much the group will be valued when it floats on the stock market.

The weather was key for John Lewis last week, but weather related products such as BBQs and fans was not enough to prevent sales falling across all categories.

Four more exhibitors have signed up for the Manchester Furniture Show, seeing the July event sold-out once again.

Upmarket leather furniture and accessories retailer and supplier Leather & Lavender has rebranded.

Agent Mike Davies passed away peacefully in his sleep on 25 May. He was 65.

Furnishings chain Leekes has seen a delivery productivity boost of more than 20% after switching to route optimisation software.

Strong bedroom and living and dining sales helped John Lewis lift turnover by £6.5m last week.

The country’s largest flooring retailer has seen a mixed performance across May and June.

Bed chain Dreams is to invest £3m in its latest Replace Every Eight advertising campaign, including TV, radio, national Press, social channels, and video on demand.

British Wool has introduced a new content label as part of a overhaul of its product labelling.

Consumers should re-evaluate what they think about the cost of a bed, with it being much cheaper than many everyday purchases, according to one manufacturer.

While Glastonbury is more associated with mud, which more than 100,000 revellers are again having to deal with at this year’s music festival, those who opted for a more upmarket choice of accommodation are seeing new upholstery.

Retailers face higher import costs after the pound dropped after a divided Britain voted to leave the EU.

United Carpets has promoted Paul Newton, operations director to the board.

Heico Fasteners as been awarded the FIRA Gold product certification for its non-rust range of Blacquer Zig-Zag springs.

Debenhams is to look to boost its furniture offer after warning of lower sales and flat profits.

John Lewis enjoyed a healthy increase in furniture sales last week, boosted by a major increase in beds and bedroom sales.

Designer Tim Gosling is to create an exhibition looking back at the heritage of British chair making for his curated entrance at September’s Decorex.

John Lewis is to sell sofas and footstools designed by rival retailer Loaf.

Underlay and accessories group Interfloor has been recognised for its export activity at the first Export Excellence Awards.

Axminster Carpets has re-launched its contract website.

Mattress and upholstery company Mammoth has added to its management team.

John Cotton’s recent gala dinner to mark its 100th anniversary raised more than £33,000 for charity.

The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Sustainability Award has been opened up at all furnishing manufacturers, including fabric and flooring.

Bed and upholstery retailer Loaf is to open its second Loaf Shack store next month.

Upmarket bed manufacturer and retailer Savoir Beds has opened its first company-owned showroom in the US.

Bed manufacturer Hypnos has scoped two awards, recognising its ethos and contract sector success.

Big Shots, The Furniture Makers’ Company’s annual clay pigeon shoot fund raising event, is set to raise more than £28,000 for the industry’s charity.

John Rogers will succeed John Walden as chief executive of Home Retail Group under new owner J Sainsbury. Rogers, 47, who joined the company in 2005, serves as chief financial officer at Sainsbury’s and as a non-executive director at Travis Perkins. He was previously group finance director at Hanover Acceptances.

Bedroom furniture specialist Sharps increased advertising spend and new showroom openings helped boost sales and profits at Sharps last year, despite a net downsizing of its store network. It also refinanced its loan facility.

The former owner of BHS, Dominic Chappell had his “fingers in the till” of the failed retailer and “threatened to kill” its chief executive after he was confronted about taking money out of the business, according to explosive allegations made to MPs.

Ulster Carpets were delighted to welcome The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall for a tour of their Portadown headquarters on 24th May 2016. The Royal couple stopped off as part of their 3 day visit to Northern Ireland to learn more about local manufacturing.

Upholstery and carpet chain ScS has seen growth in orders accelerate in recent weeks and expects higher than forecast profits.

It's seventh heaven for the furniture and furnishings industry as organisers of the January Furniture Show confirm they've signed a new long term deal with the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Retail Acquisitions get blame from BHS management for the collapse of the chain.

All categories rose in like-for-like retail sales in the UK last month. This pick up means shoppers were more comforatble spending money last month, but concern over the political climate remains.

Direct action has been taken by Lord Myners, to investigate the involvement of Sir Phillip Green in the collapse of BHS. This follows a decade-old dispute with the retail boss.

Disappointing results recorded by Matalan in its full financial year to 27 February 2016.

Danish furniture retailer BoConcept A/S has confirmed it will sell to Layout Bidco A/S, which is affiliated to London-based private equity company 3i Group plc.

Sängjätten is a Swedish value-for-money retailer of box springs, beds and bed textiles and the acquisition of 25 Sängjätten stores gives Beter Bed Holding access to the Swedish market.

The fate of failing department store BHS is likely to be decided later on Thursday, with an announcement expected from administrators Duff & Phelps.

The members of Britain's biggest union, Unite vote to strike over plans to transfer 96 drivers from Argos to supply chain company Eddie Stobart.

Former M&S Director David Walmsley has been appointed as British department store chain House of Frasers new Chief Customer Officer.

Moooi this morning unveiled its latest London showroom and brand store, in Fitzrovia.

Carpetright is to target more upmarket customers as it looks to move away from price focused marketing.

Carpet Recycling UK held its second annual awards ceremony in Birmingham a few weeks ago to highlight the achievements its members have made, namely in innovation, commitment and practice.

The January Furniture Show is to become larger, occupying more of Hall 5.

DFS has won its legal battle with fellow upholstery chain Sofaworks over its rival’s name, after claiming it was too similar to its Sofa Workshop brand.

Bed chain Dreams is looking for a boost from Wimbledon with its tennis-themed summer TV advertising campaign.

Former Dixons and Apple executive John Browett is to be the next ceo of Dunelm as part of a boardroom shake-up.

Which? has named its top mattresses, awarding nine of the 28 tested Best Buy status.

Independent furniture and flooring retailer Grampian Furnishers will find out tomorrow (Friday) if its plans for a new £4m store will pass a key planning hurdle.

Tickets for a comedy night at The Flooring Show to raise money for three children’s charities are selling fast.

Norwich is to be home to the first of three click and collect trial formats for Ikea.

The BFM has paid tribute to its outgoing chairman John Alston, after he stood down following the sale of Alstons Upholstery.

Interiors exhibition May Design Series has been cancelled, with its organiser looking to niche opportunities.

At first glance it is a typical countryside scene. Deep in the Derbyshire Dales, young willow trees stretch upwards towards the late spring sun. Birds, bees and the odd wasp provide a gentle soundtrack to the bucolic harmony.
But laid out in neat rows in the middle of a field are what appears to be a rather peculiar crop.

Home emerged as the top performer for John Lewis last week as the chain suffered a disappointing week.

Kingfisher has turned to Danish retailer Michael Loeve to run B&Q, highlighting his ability to boost performance by running the business in a more unified way across multiple formats.

Beds chain Dreams is investing in its website with the aim of doubling its conversion rate.

Kingsmead Carpets has relaunched its trade customer ordering website with increased functionality and optimised for smart phones and tablets.

Next month’s Manchester Furniture Show has now sold out.

Carpet and rug manufacturer Balta is to have a new private equity owner after the terms of a sale were agreed. The deal is expected to be completed at the end of August.

The industry and consumers are to be asked how wool carpets should be promoted to consumers.

Retail parks drew consumers away from high streets and shopping centres last month as footfall dropped for a second consecutive month.

Dids Macdonald, Anti Copying in Design (ACID) ceo has been awarded an OBE for services to the design industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The funeral of Reg Symonds will take place on 22 June after he died on 7 June, aged 85.

Visitors to September’s Bed Show will again receive complementary refreshments.

Online retailer Loaf has confirmed its first physical store will open in September of October.

Homebase as seen like for like sales growth thanks to store closing down sales but sister chain Argos has seen sales dip.

V4 Woodflooring has invested more than £600,000 in a distribution warehouse and trade facility in Castle Donington, Leicestershire as it looks to improve service to Midlands and North of England customers.

Bed retailer Hästens is looking to expand outside London under the leadership of a new country manager.

Floral furnishing group reveals that 46pc of independent shareholders voted against its long-serving deputy chairman at a shareholder meeting. Shareholders in Laura Ashley, the clothing and interiors retailer known for its floral prints, launched a rebellion against the company’s longest-serving directors at its annual general meeting.

Impressive tiles can turn your kitchen, bathroom and bedroom into a wonderland. There are numerous ways to add personality to your home, but we've found something a little more daring than block colour feature walls and novelty wallpaper.

Organisers of the Manchester Furniture Show (Manchester Central 19-21 July) are supporting a new and local social enterprise scheme known as Transformers. The scheme sees unemployed young people transform old or discarded furniture into new pieces, which are then sold.

Poor weather dented demand for fashion last month and falling prices continued to knock takings at grocers, leaving overall retail sales flat, according to industry figures.
The British Retail Consortium said sales values were unchanged from a year ago in May on a like-for-like basis, which adjusts for the impact of new store openings. Sales rose 1.1% in total terms.

With the introduction of over 400 new items, Argos has expanded its Heart of House homewares and furniture range. Argos’ design team has spent the last 18 months working closely with suppliers to develop Heart of House statement pieces across furniture, lighting and home accessories.

Daughters and grand-daughters of the original founder of Brockway Carpets have made a nostalgic visit to the Kidderminster manufacturer.
It was a poignant day for Margaret Bailey, Rosemarie Moore, Lizzie Moore, Patricia Oakley, Roberta Birch and Veryl Waldron (pictured), whose father and grandfather George Brockway set up the former Axminster and Wilton carpet business back in the 1930s.

New John Lewis and Waitrose stores will open in Horsham this month, meaning more shopping opportunities for anyone travelling to the West Sussex market town.

A comedy night is going to be held at The Royal Hall at the Harrogate Exhibition Centre on Sunday 20th September 2015 during The Flooring Show at Harrogate. The proceeds of the event will be going to three children’s cancer charities. Tickets are now on sale. Please contact Dave Francis for more details or to book on 07976 439588.

The British-owned furniture brand, founded by Burnley fan Jason Bannister, will have their name on all home shirts throughout the 2015/16 season. SofaStore.com, Oak Furniture Land’s dedicated sofa brand, will appear on the away shirts. Burnley-born Mr Bannister, said: “I’m a lifelong fan of Burnley Football Club and grew up around the corner from the stadium. Having my company’s name on the shirts is a proud moment and the fulfilment of a dream."

With just under 4 months still to run The Flooring Show 2015 is powering ahead, with confirmed space sales already 5% up on 2014, and with many more bookings in the pipeline. As well as all the core industry bellwethers taking up prominent positions, there will be an expanded presence of British manufacturers showing on the Wool Trends Centre, which features Adams Carpets, Axminster, Brintons, Brockway, Bronte, Cavalier, Ulster and Westex in a smart pavilion promoted by the British Wool Marketing Board and Campaign for Wool.

Bed chain Dreams has followed the example of former sister chain SCS and expanded it's product offer.

Its first Dreams At Home, which opened last month in Watford, offers a selection of carpets and more than 500 products from Sabichi including furniture, electrical, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom accessories, and home furnishings.

The online retailer notonthehighstreet.com has appointed Poundland chairman Darren Shapland to lead its board in a move that potentially paves the way for an IPO.

Mr Shapland has been named as the new chairman of the British company just weeks after Simon Belsham was poached from his position as head of Tesco’s online operations to become chief executive.
Notonthehighstreet.com was founded in 2006 by British entrepreneurs Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish.
It offers a platform for designers to sell their products directly to consumers.

A FLOORING company is getting ready to launch a distribution warehouse and trade centre in Castle Donington.

V4 Woodflooring, based in Surrey, has invested £600,000 transforming a unit at Langham Park, close to East Midlands Airport.

The warehouse is its fifth in the UK and will create several jobs over the coming months.

Managing director Chris Vincent will unveil the warehouse alongside Shaun Ambrose-Jones, chairman of Castle Donington Parish Council, at a ceremony tomorrow.

There was a 10% rise in the number of mortgages approved for house purchases from March to April, the biggest month-on-month increase since 2009.
This took the total to 68,706 in April, the Bank of England said, far below a peak of 129,996 in November 2006.
Mortgage activity can feed through to prices, but other factors are in play.
Matthew Pointon, property economist at Capital Economics, said: "A strong labour market and record low mortgage rates are supporting the market. But with lending standards still tight, this pace of growth will not be sustained."

Inflation in the eurozone turned positive in May after five months of falls or stagnation, reviving hopes of an economic recovery in Europe.
The annual inflation rate rose to 0.3%, up from 0% in April, the EU's statistics agency Eurostat. said.
The return of inflation is likely to be welcomed by the European Central Bank (ECB), which has sought to avoid deflation in recent months.
Prices of services rose 1.3%, while food and drink prices were up 1.2%.

An overlooked and unloved part of the retail sector has seen shares in some of its companies rocket in recent months as it rolls out a recovery. Carpet may have been deeply unfashionable ten years ago but Britain’s love affair with wool weave is sparking a rennaisance in deep shag-pile.

100% Design is to mark its 20th edition with an opening by Philippe Starck.

The January Furniture Show is to revert to its historical weekend slot for 2016, and take place at the end of January.

Tartan carpet manufacturer Stevens & Graham has signed an exclusive distribution deal worth up to $1m a year with New York interiors distributor Stark. Stark has sales of $500m.

Man-made carpet fibre waste could become a thing of the past and the carpet materials loop closed, according to a new joint-venture.

Established furniture supplier Corndell Furniture has been put into administration after it ran out of money.

Ikea's hopes of opening a store in Sheffield have moved a step closer after councillors unanimously supported the planning application for the £60m development.

The Flooring Show will be the venue for a major celebration of wool carpets in September.

Plans by Lord Harris to step down from the board of Carpetright have been put on hold.

Victoria Carpets is proposing paying shareholders a special dividend worth more than £20m which would see its executive chairman own half the company.

The Furniture Makers' Company's annual clay pigeon shooting event Big Shots raised £26,000 for the charity.

Last week was a week of two halves for John Lewis as the good weather in the latter half of the week kept shoppers away.

Kathryn Lukehurst has become the third generation of the family – and the first woman – to run leading furniture and flooring independent Gerald Lukehurst.

Ikea is again combining with Save the Children to protect almost 800,000 children from child labour.

A rise in the number of carpet take-back schemes is increasing local capacity for recycling and offering wider opportunities for retailers seeking sustainable disposal routes for off-cuts, according to Carpet Recycling UK.

Department store chain House of Fraser is to revamp its furniture offer, with a focus on brands.

Ikea could finally open a store in Sheffield, more than a decade after its first attempt, after planning officials recommended approval.

Retail footfall fell in May, but out of town retail parks proved popular and high streets improved their performance.

Student design awards New Design Britain is to receive an overhaul as it enters its second decade, with new categories.

Interiors inflation saw a major drop in May, with significantly lower prices rises than in 2013.

A strike by London Fire Brigade forced the Prince of Wales to turn to video at yesterday's Campaign for Wool event at Clarence House rather then the planned demonstration of wool's flame resistant qualities.

Home and At Home stores have again proved to be stars for John Lewis, with significant sales increases.

LVT manufacturer Moduleo has relaunched its stockist reward programme alongside the launch of its Impress collection.

Glasswells and Martin Phillips head this year's retailer winners in the Interiors Monthly Awards 2014.

Westbridge Furniture and Furlong Flooring head this year's supplier winners in the Interiors Monthly Awards 2014.

Bed supplier Serene Furnishings is to boost its warehouse capacity by more than a quarter.

Shop prices fell for the fifteenth consecutive month in July, with deflation of 1.9% in July: the deepest level of deflation since December 2006.

Simon Pengelly, PearsonLloyd and Rod Wales have all received two of this year's Design Guild Mark awards, recognising design excellence in volume furniture production.

Greenock flooring independent flooring retailer Carpetworld has secured planning permission for a new showroom.

Department store chain John Lewis has seen sales pass £4bn for the first time as staff enjoy a 15% bonus.

Littlewoods and Very owner Shop Direct has become the latest retailer to turn to augmented reality to boost furniture sales. 

Retailers reported deflation for the tenth consecutive month in February, accelerating to 1.4% from 1.0% in January – the deepest level of deflation since December 2006.

Non-food reported annual deflation of 3.0% in February from 2.7% in January – the lowest ever recorded and food inflation slowed to 1.1% from 1.5% in January – the lowest ever recorded, according to the British Retail Consortium-Nielsen Shop Price Index.

Online bedlinen and bathroom product retailer Duvet & Pillow Warehouse has confirmed the date of its rebranding as Soak & Sleep.

US office furniture group Hawarth is to buy Poltrona Frau, in a deal worth €339m (£281m). As well as the Poltrona Frau brand, the group also owns the iconic Casina, Cappellini and Thoner brands.

A record 107,000 tonnes of waste carpet were reused, recycled and recovered in the UK last year, up 21% on 2012.

Homewares provided a boost to high street retailers in December, but consumers opted to shop online.

Next year's The Flooring Show is to be held later than its traditional time at the beginning of September.

Black cabs covered in iconic Cath Kidston prints burst out of a giant Christmas present at Marble Arch , London yesterday to celebrate the opening of the largest Cath Kidston store during the brand's 20th anniversary year.

While Black Friday delivered its online boost, it was its At Home stores that were the star performers for John Lewis last week.

You've heard of the Calendar Girls, now meet the Midland Furniture Auctions Calendar Men. Male staff at MFA have stripped down to their socks and underwear to make a calendar to raise money for charity.

Retailers again cut prices in October, the sixth consecutive month, with deflation rising from 0.2% to 0.5%. Non-food retailers reported annual deflation of 2.4% in October, up from 2.0% in September. Food inflation slowed to 2.7% in October from 2.9% in September, according to the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index.

The country's largest bed manufacturer has hit out at what it calls 'deathtrap' mattresses that are proliferating the market and that retailers haven't realised how damaging these could be to their businesses.

House prices have risen by more than 5% in the past 12 months, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index.

Department store chain John Lewis saw growth slip back last week as consumes preferred sunshine to shopping.

Former Swindon furniture retailer Christopher Baines has been sentenced to five years in prison – once police find him.

More than a quarter of the staff at Dreams' head office are to lose their jobs while more branches are to close. About 60 jobs will go at the High Wycombe head office, which employs 228, as part of a restricting after the purchase of the chain by Sun European in March.

Furniture Origins is to give up its UK wholesaling operations while Furniture Link plans to double the size of its operations. Cabinet importer Furniture Origins UK is to close its wholesale side of the business to concentrate on its containers business. Wholesale operations will be carried out by Classic Furniture from 1 September.

A FLOORING company has revealed plans to expand into the bedroom furnishing industry.

Frank's The Flooring Store says it is now working with bedding specialists Silentnight and Rest Assured, which will be trialed across a number of its North-East stores.

Underfloor heating brands Cosyfloor, Ecofloor and Ecomat have been sold to Aztec Europe for an undisclosed sum. Aztec has also bought the Demista heated mirror pads brand that was jointly developed by R&D Marketing and Aztec, and have been manufactured in the UK by Aztec since its introduction by R&D Marketing more than 20 years ago.

Some 95 Dreams' stores are expected to close after it was bought by ScS parent Sun European Partners in a £35m pre-pac deal. Ernst & Young, which had been handling the sale process since December, was appointed administrator last night and sold the chain to SEP.

House prices have recorded their strongest quarterly rise in three years in a further sign that efforts to kick-start the market are working, according to figures from mortgage lender Halifax.

Like for like retail sales jumped by 1.9% in January, boosted by New Year's Eve spending.

'It is just too late. There might be nostalgia for the high street, but it is too late now. It is over,' says Blockbuster and former Land of Leather administrator.

Former Dreams chief operating officer Greg Suthern joins bed manufacturer in same role.

House prices continued 2012's pattern of slight fluctuations in November, rising by 1% according to Halifax. There have been five monthly rises and six falls in the first 11 months of 2012.

Headlam has added to its wholesale network, buying CK Davie.

Marks & Spencer joins midnight shopping rush.

Sales figures from the British Retail Consortium provide support for pessimists and optimists. Lies, damned lies, and statistics?

New look sees footfall double as roll out continues.

Amazon has made a major shift in its furniture offer, selling the full Julian Bowen offer.

Dining room and bedroom wholesaler Carlton Furniture has become the latest company to introduce a direct home delivery service.

House of Reeves has approached the anniversary of the destruction of its main Croydon store by transforming its surviving store with the help of charity vInspired.

John Lewis' At Home stores are continuing to perform for the chain, as it saw weekly sales leap.

Furmanac is to become an AIS preferred supplier, just months after launching its MiFurniture upholstery collection.

Future Floors, the Belgian flooring exhibition has been cancelled, due to a lack of exhibitors.

General meeting to elect consortium's nominees to go ahead.

Victoria Carpets has enjoyed a strong winter as the consortium trying to grab control remains silent over its' strategy.

Upholstery chain ScS has completed the latest phase of its carpet rollout.

Businesses will not be able to defer most of the biggest business rates rise in more than 20 years – despite the chancellor's promise.

The organisers of the Bed Show and Harrogate Flooring Show have hailed the success of the exhibitions in the face of economic challenges. The Bed Show grew in size by a fifth and visitor number grew by 10% while Harrogate Flooring Show saw the number of exhibitors rise from 128 to 144 as the size of the show grew by 400sqm and visitor numbers climbed to 3,205.