Celebrating the ‘whoop’ moments with Spaceworks

Kate Rowe, founder at Spaceworks Interiors, reflects on a milestone year for the business, overcoming recent challenges and what the future holds in 2023.

Founded by husband and wife partnership Kate and Michael Rowe, Spaceworks Interiors aims to make a difference to independent and family owned businesses. They have worked with brands such as Woods –Dorchester; Barbours – Dumfries; and Gillies – Broughty Ferry, to name but a few in the furniture space.

Last year saw the company reach its fifth anniversary after launching back in 2017. For Kate, this milestone has been a significant benchmark for the business, although celebrations were largely muted to remain focussed on continued growth. “Although five years is a milestone for us – in these uncertain difficult trading times almost every year becomes a little bit of a whoop moment as we reflect on our past years, and move onto new ones knowing we’ve covered costs, had some great adventures with our clients and made many big differences for the businesses we serve.

“To celebrate five years, we sent out a thank you message to our clients as I’m always mindful it’s been them that have enabled us to be here today. We didn’t really have a true sense of celebration.

We’ve ensured all our certificates and training are up to date, while concentrating on our strengths, going back to basics with business sense and making sure we are stronger and fitter for the year ahead.”

Since Spaceworks’ inception, the business, like many others, has faced a number of challenges, with online a particular focus. “The internet is probably one contributor that continues to be a challenge for our clients and therefore us too,” Kate said. “Many of our clients are long established independent family run businesses who trade predominantly from their bricks and mortar premises. Their marketing budgets are no way near great enough to compete with the big multiples and their online presence just can’t match those of the internet only business.

“They therefore lose out on opportunities, yet still pay dearly on business rates. Quite often store development and refurbishment is overlooked as ‘another marketing cost that we just can’t afford’. What I would like to encourage is a turnaround in that thinking – and that for a relatively small percentage investment compared to an e-tailing investment, retailers could start to energise their store environment, create excitement and experience for their customers, create engaging events that create loyalty and start to enjoy a better relationship that encourages return purchases.” Spaceworks offers just this, and the key to their success is simplicity. “Keeping things simple and always doing what we say we’re going to do is why we’re successful,” says Kate, continuing: “I’m a big believer in being transparent, honest and being very clear about the way we like to operate and how we work with our clients.”

Kate concluded that with the everchanging high street, it is essential that the notion of design doesn’t get labelled as an ‘unnecessary expense’. “That’s a short-lived response. If you rest on the notion ‘we’ve always done ok as we are’, you soon won’t and some shiny, new retailer will come along and do it better, taking your customers. It’s surprising how cost effective a design solution can be. The long-standing benefits can be huge in ensuring your doors continue to be open.”

Sherborne Upholstery

One of our most popular recliner/suite ranges, the Comfi-sit, has been totally remodelled & was reintroduced at the January Furniture Show in its new, improved form with great success. It is a wonderfully comfortable & generously sized design, which is offered in both soft covers and leather in both small & standard sizes. Matching riser recliners are also included. Suiting both traditional & contemporary homes, it features soft, fibre-filled backs & soft ‘pillow’ arms.

www.sherborneupholstery.co.uk

Gallery Direct

Gallery Direct has launched a new mattress collection which offers a range of models, each with its own features, designed to make it easy for Gallery’s customers and end users alike to choose the right mattress to suit their requirements. All the new mattresses are hand crafted at Gallery’s Wiltshire manufacturing unit by their highly skilled, experienced team. The new mattresses were introduced to the industry at the January Furniture Show 2023. www.gallerydirect.co.uk

La-Z-Boy UK

La-Z-Boy UK’s Paris is an entry level price model with add-on options and its own exclusive leather and fabric ranges - Calda and Anivia. With compact arms, curved lines and pocket sprung seats, Paris combines traditional La-Z-Boy luxury with the ultimate in comfort and support. It includes two and three-seater sofas plus a chair with static, manual and power recline options. www.la-z-boy.co.uk

Shire Beds

Shire Beds are a FSC certified company and also signed the NBF Pledge for the Planet to further their sustainability journey. Shire Beds is a multi award winning quality manufacturer that offers added extras of own label, exclusive fabrics and extended guarantee on its eco designed products – it is a must have brand in furniture retail. Its award winning Signature Range and Best Selling Picasso from the Artisan Range are firm favourites. The new Spectrum Range offers great value in these very challenging economic times.

www.shirebeds.co.uk

Devonshire

Devonshire has recently launched a new kitchen selection designed to add style and practicality to consumers cooking spaces. Consisting of a butcher’s block, kitchen island and two larder cupboards (single and double), these beautiful pieces have been created to complement their popular Dorset Painted collection, but work equally as well as standalone pieces. Offered in a choice of 9 fanciful paint colours, the kitchen items are in stock now in the UK and available for fast and efficient delivery. If you’d like more info, please get in touch on enquiries@devonshireliving.co.uk, or phone 01237 471872. www.devonshireliving.co.uk

Nectar Sleep

At Nectar Sleep we are committed to sustainability, which is why we use premium materials in our products to ensure that they last. However, we are also aware that all products have an environmental impact, which is why we have partnered with Climate Partner to measure, reduce and offset our carbon footprint. The products are also delivered in FSC certified boxes and vacuum packed using recycled polythene. We also create a second life for our mattresses. We refurbish and re-sell those that are good as new from our 365-night trials and we donate the rest to the British Heart Foundation. To date, our used mattresses have raised £410,000 for the charity. www.nectarsleep.co.uk

Sonlevo

Shire Beds are a FSC certified company and also signed the The Sonlevo TrueGel range is setting a new standard. It’s the first gel mattress to be developed in the UK using revolutionary Gel technology – its unique grid system is 80% air. TrueGel gives maximum support, minimises pressure and is never too hot and never too cold, for the best night’s sleep possible. For over 40 years GNG has been dedicated to helping people sleep better, with the latest in innovation, materials and design. From side-sleepers to star-fishers, nappers and night owls, to those who suffer in pain - we have something for everyone. Everything we do is researched, designed and manufactured by us in the UK. Given the heightened focus on sleep and wellbeing, this new premium range represent a real opportunity for retailers to expand sales into lucrative new areas. www.sonlevo.com

Wiemann

Award-winning German bedroom manufacturer, Wiemann, has two new VIP ranges. Quito is an eye-catching premium VIP range featuring a distinctive square design to set it apart from the crowd. Featuring hinged doors and a variety of carcase, door and finish options including mirrors, pebble grey, champagne and rustic oak. Asmara is a versatile and contemporary premium VIP total bedroom solution featuring hinged doors with or without drawers. Available in a variety of finishes including Bianco oak, pebble grey, champagne and mirrors. Chests, bedsides and beds complete the collection. www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Swan Systems Sliding Wardrobes seeks new retail partners

Lisa Dymott, Director at Swan Systems options to suit the style of your customers home and they feature closed, grease-packed ball bearing rollers that are housed at the bottom of the door, allowing the weight of the door to be carried along the bottom track, which have a fiveyear guarantee. All doors come with soft close too, a regular feature in most homes.

Furniture, shares an insight into the business and their growth plans for the UK.

“We offer technical support on how to make and install the doors, sales training support on how to design a great selling Swan Sliding Wardrobe and how you can upsell with matching interiors, advice on what products will sell well and marketing support to help you generate leads.

“They can buy the components and make the doors themselves or we can deliver ready-made doors. We offer full training and marketing support too.”

Swan Systems Sliding Wardrobes are available to buy direct from the manufacturer, Swan Systems Furniture. The business aims to expand its network with home improvement retailers across the UK. “We currently supply the Swan Sliding Wardrobes to a growing group of independent retailers and want to increase these. Our aim is to recruit retailers around the UK who sell into the home improvement sector, with a showroom and a team of fitters. They could be a bed company, bedroom, kitchen – anyone looking to increase their turnover,” Lisa said.

With over 35 years’ experience of designing, manufacturing, installing fitted bedrooms, sliding wardrobes, home offices and walk in wardrobes, Swan Systems Furniture has built a strong reputation in its field. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the business embarked on a mission to re-evaluate the business, which saw a substantial investment within its online operations and focus on its core Swan Sliding Wardrobe Door range.

So, what are the main benefits of Swan’s Sliding Wardrobe

Door? In a nutshell, Lisa says they are made to high quality, technical excellence, space saving, while also enabling the option to upsell – and no cold metal frames either. “The product held a British Patent (No. 2304361) for its unique design and profiles are available in 14 popular colours, the majority of which match the ranges of fitted bedrooms offered by the main manufacturers. We offer versatile door design

Interested? Lisa explains how to get involved: “Firstly, we would like to meet you. We will invite you to see how we make the doors, store the materials and promote the products in our showroom. Secondly, we can design a showroom display for you. In return, you need time to learn how best to sell our Swan Sliding Door product range and get your fitters on board to install the product. We are positioned at the higher end of the price scale and the quality of our product simply closes deals.” For more information, contact Lisa: info@swansystems. co.uk or call 01329