Family Business The Furniture Centre, Morley Celebrate 50yrs!

Business Reviews

■ L-R Managing Director Richard Tempest, Chairman Robert Tempest and Andrew Tempest

−−− BY LINZI DAVIES −−−

This month, The Furniture Centre in Morley are celebrating their 50th birthday! On the 22nd March 1968 the purpose-built showroom was officially opened to the public by the actress Pat Phoenix – famous for her role as Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street. Pat certainly drew the crowds that day and the street was packed with fans eager to get a glimpse of the star. It was a huge event in the town with mounted police on patrol to make sure everything ran smoothly!

■ Crowds gathered as Pat Phoenix arrived to open the store

Owner Norman Tempest and his son Robert were already well-known business men in Morley at the time, as respected Chartered Surveyors and Auctioneers. Having many dealings with furniture in the auction side of their business, Norman decided to open a furniture store with the first one trading from April 1961. By 1968 they had two shops when they decided to design and build the current showroom on Queen Street. Robert Tempest remembers “My dad designed the showroom, and at 23,000sq ft it was one of the most up to date, modern furniture stores in the country at the time, certainly comparable to other stores in much larger cities. I remember working in the estate agent at the time and if I needed to ask dad a question I could often find him up a ladder on the scaffolding watching the building take shape!”

Today, they continue to trade with the same ethos they had back in the 60’s. Now with the third generation of Tempests working there, the family pride themselves on their competitive prices and efficient customer service. Robert estimates around 70-80% of their customers are repeat visitors as they appreciate the personal service and attention to detail, such as delivery and full installation of furniture in the room you want it, not just left at your front door.

To celebrate this fantastic 50 Year milestone, The Furniture Centre have some great special offers available with discounts of up to 19.68% off.

See The Furniture Centre advert on page 18

Visit The Furniture Centre  Showroom, 129 Queens Street, Morley, Leeds LS27 8HE

Tel 0113 253310

www.furniturecentremorley.co.uk

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