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from Test Valley Forum - Issue 157 - September 2021

Leisure Entertainment

The Totally Mid-Century and Thoroughly Modern Peter Green Turns 65!

This independent and still family-owned company is now a rarity amongst furnishing stores these days. With its roots firmly based in the South, Peter Green Furnishers is seen as a local ‘icon’ in the region, whose residents have witnessed its transformation from a tiny store in Eastleigh to the present day expansive and modern showrooms that it occupies in Chandlers Ford. It’s 65 years since founder, Peter Green, opened his ‘Sleep Shop’ with wife Norah, who he met at a dance in Southampton during WWII. The war was over and Peter, who had been working as a furniture representative after leaving the RAF, had managed to save £150 with which to start his business.

It was an exciting period, the world was changing and the British focus was on the home. A post-War government scheme requested designers to produce “strong, well

Peter Green outside his Sleep Shop at beginning of the famous 1957 Eastleigh - Andover Bed Race

designed furniture that made good use of scarce materials,” and from this initiative rose many of the great British furniture brands we all love today and the mid-century modern styles of the day have endured ever since! The business is now owned and run by Peter Green’s daughter, Wendy Martin-Green, who with a lot of support from a very strong team and Managing Director, Mike Devey, ensures that the company’s staff have the ‘inside knowledge’ on every bed, cabinet, chair, sofa and piece of flooring they sell. Wendy says: “Peter Green Furnishers are both proud and amazed to have taken such a long journey partnering with so many well-established manufacturers and it fascinates us to think that we are now seeing updated versions of the ‘old classics’ reappear in our store. A case in point is the Ercol 355 Studio Couch - a best seller in 1956, the year my Father opened his store, now re-released with new finishes and fabrics to meet the current passion for anything ‘vintage’. The key to such longevity of all these companies is our shared belief that service, quality and customer satisfaction matter!”

Peter Green has a deep connection in the community that it has grown up with.

The Peter Green Walkround Showrooms 1966-85 Southampton Rd Eastleigh. Formerly a school, dairy and a dog biscuit factory!

“We know our neighbours, we have carpeted and furnished their homes, hospitals, schools, places of work, pubs, clubs, eateries and even their gyms! We have both served and employed generations of local people and we understand the needs of the community from the inside out. We are part of the furniture!”

But furniture is not all Peter Green does. “We have a strong flooring department with everything from Axminster weaves and bespoke floors created just for you, to zebra striped runners, plus our busy Commercial Contracts Team works with local institutions and business to support their needs too and of course beds are a big love for us… it’s where we started!” says Wendy.

Peter Green is an old established company yet with its finger still very much on today’s pulse. Happy 65th birthday to this much loved local company!