−−− BY LINZI DAVIES −−−
Kelvin Furniture in Morley is a much-loved independent family furniture specialist who have been furnishing the homes of their customers for over 60 years. With current owner Tony set for semi-retirement, he is handing over the reins to son Marc who, as the third generation is looking forward to continuing the family tradition of providing excellent quality furniture and good old northern customer service!
The business was founded in 1955 by Leslie Kelvin, who was well-known in Leeds as an antique dealer – and the trade initially was exporting antiques all over the world. He was joined in 1968 by his son Tony, but by 1977, finding antiques had become harder and harder, so the decision was made to move into reproduction cabinet furniture as both a retailer and wholesaler.
Within 2 years, business was booming as demand for reproduction furniture became increasingly popular, and Kelvins expanded by employing twelve staff to fill the orders. As some of the factories the furniture was sourced from were less than reliable it became obvious that Kelvins needed to be manufacturing at least some of the furniture.
Growth was rapid and it was not long before a move to a 50,000sq foot factory in Batley enabled the company to increase its turnover to eleven million pounds and its workforce to just over a one hundred within just 5 years! A new 25,000sqft warehouse was added to the existing factory, opened by the then local MP Elizabeth Peacock, and Kelvins had quickly become the largest manufacturer of reproduction cabinet furniture in the UK. Only Foxes employed more people in Batley at this time.
Sadly, Leslie Kelvin passed away in 1987 and son Tony took the helm, where he has remained to this day.
Nothing lasts forever and in the late nineties the appetite for reproduction furniture was no longer what it used to be. Combined with cheaper imports from China and East Asia, Kelvins was no longer able to compete, and the business was sold – by which time, the workforce was down to less than half what it had been. The building, which is still known as Kelvin Business Park was put up for sale and purchased by a large bedding company who are there to this day.
Since 2003, Kelvin Furniture, led by Tony has moved on to more positive times by concentrating on retail, with the last seven years based in Morley. Here, they have again established themselves as the place to create the home of your dreams, offering high quality modern furniture to suit any interior at competitive prices. With decades of experience in helping people achieve gorgeous interiors, the whole ethos of Kelvin Furniture is centred around customer satisfaction. They offer full customisation on their range of beds, from storage options to fabric. There is an amazing range of bedroom furniture, suites, dining tables and chairs and a vast range of giftware, so you are sure to find both comfort and style to create the look you want for your home.
Although the company doesn’t display its range of reproduction furniture in store, this can still be purchased at www.kelvinfurniture.com offering more options for customers who appreciate the timeless elegance this traditional style offers. Many of the pieces can also be made to custom dimensions – making a reproduction antique a perfect fit for your space.
You can rest assured that Kelvin Furniture will be in safe hands with Marc who will be delivering the same top-notch service the people of Leeds have come to expect from this friendly, local store!
