June/July/August 2020
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher Pre-order your new Edition 21 catalogue now!
FOAM & SUNDRIES
The UK Specialists Responsibly supplying Upholstery foam and Sundries
CELEBRATING
Thank you www.livedale.co.uk
USFM.06.20
years 1960 - 2020
Care staff & Key workers E: Sales@livedale.co.uk
Order Line - Text or
T: 01942 825144
07591 205598
Meltdown!
Boxing Clever
Staying in Trim
How COVID changed our world
World class company chooses AMUSF
With help from FIRA
Official journal of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers
www.upholsterers.co.uk
Upholsterer
& Soft Furnisher
Comment Jan Turner Editor
Celebrating 60 successful years in business, specialist Upholstery Foam and Sundries supplier Livedale are responsibly serving their customers again. The team would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the NHS, Care staff and Keyworkers for their amazing work in recent weeks.
What a very different world we find ourselves in since the last issue of U&SF landed. Lives have been turned upside with everything from our employment, to our freedom, to our health, now under threat.
Livedale Foam and Sundries Ltd. Tel: 01942 825144 E: sales@livedale.co.uk www.livedale.co.uk
Who could ever have believed that daily conversation would include routine mentions of the latest 24-hour death toll? Or that the vast majority of the working population would be either working from home or furloughed? As U&SF went to press, restrictions were starting to ease, but it’s likely to be a long haul yet.
Upholsterer & Soft Furnis
June/July/August 2020
her
Pre-order your new Edition 21 catalogue now!
FOAM & SU NDRIES
CELEBRATING
Meltdown!
How COVID changed our world
Care staff & Key
workers
uk E: Sale s@li veda le.c o.uk T: 0194 2 8251 Orde r Line - Text 44 or 0759 1 2055 98
Boxing Clever
World class company chooses AMUSF
Official journal of the Association of Mast er Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers
USFM.06.20
years 1960 - 2020
www .live dale .co.
Staying in Trim With help from FIRA
www.upholsterers.c o.uk
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher Editor: Jan Turner, AKA PR T: 01756 795374 F: 01756 798789 E: editorial@upholsterers.co.uk Advertising Sales: 01732 441133 Published and Printed by Knockout Print Unit 2 The Coppice, Petteridge Lane, Matfield TN12 7LP Design & Production by Truprint Media, Margate Registered in England no. 07263132
For this is not a ‘national holiday’ it’s a national emergency and amid the daily gloom from Downing Street there has been so much to be thankful for: from the fun videos doing the rounds to stories about the heartwarming efforts of so many to help the ‘war’ effort. In this issue of U&SF we take a look at how people in our own sector have responded to, and been affected by, a crisis that has touched every last one of us. I’m hoping members will get in touch so that we can feature even more of the kind gestures and good work being undertaken by those in our industry in the next issue. I know there must be so many tales to tell. For the family and friends of well-known AMUSF member Ernest Spratling, the story was one of paying the ultimate sacrifice as Ernest was sadly among the victims of COVID 19 (see page 7). It was one very real loss among tens of thousands of lives lost – and every last one of them a tragedy for the families involved.
The UK Specialists Responsibly supplyi ng Upholstery foam and Sundries
Thank you
Almost overnight, it seemed, we went from being a thriving country to a stricken nation. Along with much of the rest of the world, our way of life as we knew it – and probably took for granted – was totally decimated as the worst public health crisis in a century brought the economy to its knees and everyday life to a screeching halt.
For many others, it has been the disappointment of watching a business built up over years – and sometimes a lifetime – come to a complete standstill. Hopefully, many will be able to pick up and resume their work when the lockdown starts to ease but there will inevitably be those who don’t make it. For now, all we can do is make the most of any extra time on our hands to reassess what we do and how we can best go forward. To regard the ‘national pause’ as a moment in which to reflect, plan for the future and emerge as stronger people and businesses. It will take a while for anything bearing some resemblance to ‘normal’ to return and indeed there may be a ‘new normal’ when this is all over. They say that every generation has ‘it’s moment’ – and this most certainly is ours. As an industry, as well as a nation, the key to going forward will be to stick together so we can stay together and once again thrive and succeed. It may, for many of us, be the toughest time in living memory, but this too will pass. Until it does – and until the next time – stay safe. And stay well.
JanTurner Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher
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Showcase 1
BRAND NEW Livedale
2
Product roduct Catalogue - Edition 21
Pre order your copy now Text or
07591 205 598
If you have a new product that you would like to be included in the next edition, just send in a high resolution image, 50 words of text and contact details to advert@upholsterers.co.uk – cost £99
1. The brand new edition 21 Livedale Catalogue will be available early 2020. Featuring over 5,000 quality products from foam, fibre and feather to woodcare, stains and lacquers the full colour catalogue includes images, diagrams and listings from international suppliers and some of the leading names in the foam and upholstery industry. Pre-order your copy now. Text 07591 205598 or Call 01942 825144. Livedale Foam & Sundries, Unit D Enterprise Court, Seaman Way, Wigan, Lancs WN2 2AG E: info@livedale.co.uk www.livedale.co.uk 2. Merrick & Day. Curtain-making products as used by professionals. In fact, everything, except the fabric, to make professional looking curtains and Roman blinds. Order online or phone for next day delivery. Free next day cutting service on all Merrick & Day Roman blind headrails. Fibreglass rods and flat bottom bars included when ordered with a headrail. Large or small orders. Trade and retail welcome. Merrick & Day Ltd Tel:01652 648814 www.merrick-day.com
Langton London_USF_0916.qxp:Langton London_USF_0916 11/08/2016 12:31 Page 1
Upholsterer’s Business Insurance Langton London Insurance Brokers is one of the leading providers of Business Insurance coverage for Upholsterers & Soft Furnishing in the UK. We are proud to be chosen as the Appointed Insurance Broker for the AMUSF. Our Exclusive scheme is underwritten by an A rated Insurer, who we have developed an excellent trading relationship with over the years which allows us to create exactly the right blend of covers to suit your requirements and can include Non Standard covers such as: Teacher Training, Log Cabins, Wood Burners, to name a few. The volume business we place with them allows our clients to enjoy extremely competitive premiums and demands that in the unfortunate event of a claim we are able to negotiate a settlement promptly and fairly on your behalf. We cater for the small independent (working from home) operators, sole traders, partnerships to the larger companies.
Please contact Tony Gutteridge on: Direct Dial: 01737 305662 Email: tony.gutteridge@langtonlondon.co.uk Website: www.langtonlondoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/schemes/upholsterers Langton London Insurance Brokers Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Contents News
AMUSF Contacts
6&7
AMUSF News Update
8
Industry News
10
Ask FIRA
Features
Head Office
12, 14 & 15 Special Report: COVID Crisis
Association General Manager: Manjeet Upple E: manjeet.upple@upholsterers.co.uk
16 & 17
MyDecozo
18
Member Profile: Carl Irving
20 & 22
Feature: Boxing Clever
24
Social Standing: What’s Being ‘Aired and Shared’
26
In the Hotseat: Maria Willis
Office Manager: Susan Tyler E: admin@upholsterers.co.uk The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers Ltd, Citibase, Swan House, White Hart Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 2HL Tel: 01494 854920 E: enquiries@upholsterers.co.uk Website: www.upholsterers.co.uk Feather&Fibre_hh_Feather&Fibre_hh 30/05/2012 10:32 Page 1
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher
5
AMUSF news roundup
CRISIS TIME As the COVID 19 public health crisis affects the working and personal lives of everyone in Britain and beyond, the AMUSF has been providing information and updates to members. With activity scaled back to reflect the health and safety needs of the Coronavirus outbreak, association manager Manjeet Upple has been working from home while office manager Susan Tyler was among millions of employees around the country furloughed under the government’s job retention scheme. Said Manjeet: “These have been incredibly difficult and unprecedented times for us all and we can only hope there is a return to some semblance of normality as soon as it is safe to do so. “To help members, we have provided information about government websites and details of schemes they are running for the self-employed. We have also opened Croners for advice on HR and employment law, health and safety guidance, and now guidelines on Corona and what businesses can do if furloughing their staff etc, for all members to use. “I have also been sending out more newsletters with separate ones for students providing updates about the training centres. We have also dealt with a lot of calls from students allaying their concerns about verification dates which have been cancelled until further notice.” Meanwhile AMUSF director of training Wendy Shorter, who was due to be installed as Master of the Upholders on April 1, has found everything to do with her year in office put on hold. Said Wendy: “We have a potential date of September 15 for my postponed installation and while my summer events have been cancelled, I am still working on the Sheep Drive and Wool Fair in September and the float for the Lord Mayor’s Show in November. “In the meantime, as well as providing fabrics for local scrubhubs, I’ve been making cushions and doorstops that we can sell at the Wool Fair, making banners and converting wheelchairs into motorised armchairs for the Lord Mayor’s Show, and supplying fabrics for a group making face masks for the NHS. “From our industry side, we are still working on a new Craft Assistant Apprenticeship that I hope the soft furnishings sector will have access to. It’s still in the early stages but hopefully the Coronavirus crisis will not delay it too much. If this is successful, it would then mean that both upholstery and soft furnishing businesses will have access to government funded apprenticeships.”
Swinging in to action at the Wates workshop
From furniture to face masks
DAVIN WHITE A well-known and longtime member of the AMUSF, Davin White, has died. Davin, who passed away on March 9 at the age of 88, was an active member of the association and held the position of secretary and chairman of the Kent branch. He was also a Fellow of the AMUSF and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Upholders. The eldest of four children, Davin was born in Woolwich, London and after leaving Ancona School at 14, took up an apprenticeship that led to lifelong career as a Master Upholsterer. In his early career he worked locally at Harry
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Among those ‘doing their bit’ for the national effort to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak has been AMUSF member and bespoke upholsterer E & A Wates. The business stepped in to help produce much needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) during the crisis, supplying frontline NHS equipment across London. In its 120th year, the south west London interior specialist switched its workshop furniture restoration work from reupholstery to critical PPE. While its showroom and workshop were temporarily closed in response to Coronavirus, teams worked at a safe distance behind the scenes. They supplied and cut foam for 6,200 visors made for NHS frontline staff at 21 hospitals in London and neighbouring counties. The project was co-ordinated by Marie Gallagher working with 60 colleagues and friends in the Twickenham area who made a total of 9,500 visors for the hospitals.
Earl’s workshop in Plumstead then at Wise’s furniture workshop in Welling. After finishing his apprenticeship, he went to Berkley Chairs on the Old Kent Road before taking up a position at Harrods. He opened his workshop, ‘White Upholstery’ in Hatherley Road, Sidcup in 1964 and ran the business successfully until his retirement in 2003. Davin married his wife Marjorie in 1955 and their daughter Chrissie was born in 1962. She said: “He truly loved his trade which gave him so many fabulous opportunities, including working in many famous London theatres such as the Palladium; on film sets for famous
AMUSF news roundup
MOVING MOMENT The AMUSF head office has moved! The association’s new High Wycombe town centre office at Swan House can be easily reached by both train and bus. Its connection to the Eden shopping centre also means visitors can use the centre’s ample parking facilities. Said association manager Manjeet Upple: “We needed to move as our former offices at Lincoln’s Inn, High Wycombe had been taken over by a golfing company who wanted all the space. “What attracted us to the current office was the amount of space available for our archives. The town centre location also makes it much easier to reach us – the train station is just a five minute walk away. The office itself is serviced so we have use of a kitchen and meeting rooms: it is also much more sociable with a great view of the church!” The new address is: Citibase, Swan House, White Hart Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2HL, Tel: 01494 854920. Email addresses remain the same.
ERNEST SPRATLING The AMUSF has lost another well-known member with the death of Ernest Spratling, a Fellow of the AMUSF and Liveryman with the Upholders. Ernest, who was 86, died in April after contracting COVID 19. Said AMUSF chairman Jerry Appleyard: “Ernie was a tutor at London Met for many years and became a Liveryman in September 1994. Despite being well into his eighties, right up until last year Ernie continued to make twice yearly visits to the Cass in the late spring and summer in order to assess the upholstery work of the students. He was very well known to Liverymen in the trade and will be much missed by the Kent branch of the AMUSF. Once a regular attendee of Upholders events with his wife Gill, Ernie had been experiencing ill-health for at least the past couple of years. Our thoughts are very much with Gill at this time.” Said AMUSF director of training Wendy Shorter, who was a student of Ernie’s during her time at London Met in the 1990s: “Ernie, together with his wife Gill, ran their own upholstery and soft furnishings business in Folkstone for many years. When he semi-retired in the 90s, he started teaching upholstery at London Met and was my tutor throughout my time there, encouraging me to start up on my own once I had qualified. “It was also Ernie who introduced me to the AMUSF and the Upholders, so I have a lot to thank him for. When he retired in 2007, I took over his teaching post. Not only was he a brilliant upholsterer and tutor, he had a very cheeky way about him and although he had not been well for some time, he will be sorely missed.” Ernest leaves his wife Gillian, children Anne and Michael, and grandchildren Thomas, Freddie and Harry.
New office interior with office manager Susan Tyler
film directors; at County Hall, the Guild Hall and stately homes; as well as working for the Shah of Iran. His trade even took him to California for a period of time in the early 1980s. “Dad was a very traditional person with traditional values. He was passionate about everything he did and not forgiving of anyone trying to cut corners. He was sincere, caring and generous with his time, a good husband a wonderful Dad and Grandad. His love of music was well known, as was his passion for dancing. During his retirement he spent many hours in the greenhouse cultivating his prize-winning
Dahlia’s. He also took up Nordic walking a few years ago and regularly played bowls at Shrewsbury House.” Said fellow Kent branch member Roy Theobald, who attended the funeral service at Eltham Crematorium on March 26: “I first met Davin, when I was just 19-yearsold and an apprentice at the Royal London Docks for P&O. My wages were just six pounds a week, so I went along to Mr White and asked him for a job but he told me, in no uncertain terms, to go and finish my apprenticeship! It was the best piece of advice I could have had. “As an active member of the Kent branch,
Davin helped demonstrate upholstery skills at The Kent Show ground, at Penshurst Place and many other venues: he was a great one for justice and doing things the right way and would say what he thought was right. We in the Kent branch will miss him.” As well as wife Marjorie and daughter Chrissie, Davin leaves two grandsons, Sam and Alex. A memorial service is planned for later this year to give people unable to attend the funeral (held during the Covid crisis and restricted to 20 attendees) a chance to remember and pay tribute to Davin.
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher
7
Industry roundup
CRISIS CENTRES The Coronavirus crisis saw much of the furnishings industry shut down in March with many industry associations also hit by the economic ‘pause’. From providing essential information hubs signposting members to trusted sources of information to online forums and conferences, trade bodies stepped up to the mark, despite often being down on their usual resources – and being forced to cancel training sessions and group events. Here’s what they told us: The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA): One of the first actions we took was to set up www. fira.co.uk/covid-19, a central resource for trusted information related to the furniture industry and updated it on a daily basis. Quite a lot of standards activity is currently taking place via video conferencing. For news updates see www.fira.co.uk/news. FIRA International, the service provider to the Research Association, is helping members with technical information and membership support. Worshipful Company of Upholders: With all events postponed for now, the Court has been concentrating on providing online and telephone support to members identified as potentially more vulnerable or isolated. Upholders have
been assisting, through their businesses or individually, with the production of PPE and transport of materials to the new Excel Centre hospital. Our Almoner Bill Fry may be contacted at almoner@upholders. co.uk or by telephone (via the Clerk) on 01732 833315. As a reminder from a previous article in Upholsterer & SF, small grants can be made to individuals needing support with everyday items. National Bed Federation (NBF): Sadly we had to postpone our planned Green and Spring Forums in April, but we continue to operate, albeit on a reduced scale, so that we can lobby government on our members’ behalf on the particular challenges of our sector and also provide members with useful sources of advice and support. Work continues on a number of other fronts, too: European and international standards meetings are taking place by webinar; and we continue to engage with Zero Waste Scotland on mattress recycling and circularity. Meanwhile, the Sleep Council is responding to media requests about how to cope with the sleep disruption many are feeling on the back of the lockdown. The British Furniture Confederation (BFC): the Confederation brings together the industry’s main trade associations (BCFA, BFM, FIRA, NBF,
WCFM) for dialogue with government and the All Party Parliamentary Group on furniture and furnishings, has been meeting online on a weekly basis to share feedback from industry, and identify key challenges to bring to the attention of government. In particular, they have been lobbying hard for manufacturing sites to be granted the same business rates relief afforded to shops and hospitality; and emphasising the problems with the government’s loan guarantee scheme. As the crisis continues, the BFC will be lobbying for continued support for the sector well beyond the lifting of the lockdown. Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM): We have been concerned to help those affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reaching out to those who have been furloughed or had their income impacted by the disruption through emergency grants covering essential household items, bills and general financial hardship. For more information on applying for a welfare grant, go to: https://bit.ly/ COVID19FMCsupport or contact Sue Dean, welfare officer, on welfareofficer@ furnituremakers.org.uk or 020 7562 8528. We created a COVID-19 Industry Updates page on our site www.furnituremakers. org.uk/news/covid-19-industry-updates/.
MASTER CERTIFICATES Franco Marinelli, AMUSF member, Fellow and senior tutor at the Cass, London Met University, has been presented with a Master Certificate by the Worshipful Company of Upholders, at a ceremony held at the Mansion House in March. The scheme is designed to recognise excellence in the crafts of upholstery, soft furnishings and funeral directors. Franco’s programme citation read: “Franco started his career in Italy where he qualified in both traditional and modern upholstery, specialising in leather upholstery. He set up his own workshop in England in 1985 and with 40 years of experience he has promoted the craft of upholstery, holding senior positions in various organisations.” Nominations for the 2021 awards are now open. The closing date is August 31 2020 and application forms can be obtained from the Clerk: clerk@upholders.co.uk
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Franco Marinelli – centre – recieves his Master's Certificate from Master Anthony Demby – left – with Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell – right. Picture courtesy of Phil McCarthy photography.
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Ask FIRA
STAYING IN TRIM
FIRA experts answer more of members’ questions about flammability issues
Q A
Do trimmings and braids need to be fire retarded if you are attaching them to sofas or chairs?
The relevant parts of The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) are Schedule 4, The Cigarette Test, Modifications to BS 5852: Part 1 (cigarette test on cover fabrics); and Schedule 5, The Match Test, Part 1 (match test for cover fabrics). Both state that ‘all braids and other trimmings shall be removed from material upon which a test is to be conducted.’ Therefore it is interpreted that trimmings and braids are not covered or do not need to be tested under the FFFSR.
Q A
If I am putting curtains up in my rented property, do they need to adhere to any fire regulations?
There is no specific fire safety legislation for domestic curtains and, although you are renting your property, it would still count as a domestic property. In the non-domestic/contract sector the standard BS 5867-2:2008 Fabrics for curtains, drapes and window blinds. Flammability requirements. Specification can be used to determine the fire safety of curtain.
Q A
Do you need to put fire labels onto pieces of furniture where you have only replaced the top cover? This is dependent on a number of things; whether you have agreed in advance with your customer that you will include a fire label, or whether you are replacing the cover with
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another type of cover that is compliant in a different way. If you are replacing a cover with one which is compliant in the same way as the old cover i.e. a cigarette and match resistant cover for a cigarette and match resistant cover; or a cigarette resistant cover that is 75% natural and used over a schedule 3 interliner for cigarette resistant cover that is 75% natural and used over a schedule 3 interliner, the existing label would still be compliant and not need to be changed. However, if you are changing a cigarette resistant cover that is 75% natural and used over a schedule 3 interliner for a cigarette and match resistant cover, or vice versa, then the existing label would be incorrect and need to be removed. If the customer wanted to give this item to charity, or sell as part of a business, it would need replacing either by the reupholsterer or the customer, depending upon what was originally agreed.
FIRA COURSES Courses being run by FIRA over the next few months are as follows – and where live sessions are not possible, online alternatives will be arranged: September 8: Furniture Fire Safety Training; £375+VAT (Furniture Industry Research Association members), £600+VAT (non-members). September 9: An Introduction to Upholstered Furniture Regulations; £175+VAT (members), £350+VAT (non-members). October 8: Fire Safety of Contract and Office Furniture; £375+VAT (members),£600+VAT (non-members). November 25: Furniture Fire Safety Training; £375+VAT (members), £600+VAT (non-members). November 26: An Introduction to Upholstered Furniture Regulations; £175+VAT (members), £350+VAT (non-members).
FIRA INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT NHS NIGHTINGALE HOSPITALS FIRA International supported the new NHS Nightingale hospitals by providing free flammability testing for Rivertex Technical Fabrics Group, who supplied material for Nightingale medical mattresses. Said Guy Lynch, managing director at Rivertex Technical Fabrics Group: “Our Rivertex 500FR polyester fabric is specially intended for use within medical mattresses, so we were able to have a quick turn-around to support the NHS effort. “We supplied material for the production of tens of thousands of medical mattresses to be delivered to the NHS, along with material for key personal protective equipment (PPE). In order to achieve the lead-times we are grateful that FIRA International took swift action to undertake the testing stipulated by the NHS.”
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Feature
MELTDOWN U&SF asked members how the COVID 19 crisis had affected their business. In this special report, here’s what those who replied had to say… Name: Yvette Dearden Business: Upholstery Skills Centre Nature of Business: Training School Around for: 7.5 years Based: Stapleford Abbotts, Essex Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? If so, how have you been able to carry on? We had to close the training centre but Mark Marsh, who is one of our directors, has been doing an amazing job keeping our students, as well as many others from around the world, entertained and busy. Each evening on our Instagram page – www.instagram.comupholsteryskills centre/ he has been making videos to teach and share new skills. All our AMUSF students have also been given free access to our upholstery classes online – www.upholsteryskillsonline.com – so they can practise their skills and also learn new ones while they are in lockdown. Have you found that sales have actually increased? Sales haven’t increased overall but we have seen a big increase in the number of people registering for our online courses at www.upholsteryskillsonline.com as they can then learn upholstery at home.
Mark Marsh videoing from his summer house
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How else has the crisis affected what you do? We have had to keep in touch with our students through Facetime rather than face to face, emails and also our Facebook group. We have also been more focused on the online courses. What sort of feedback have you had from your own customers? They are very grateful for the support that we have been giving them. How optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? We are very optimistic that the training centre will re-open once it is safe to do so. Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. Mark giving up his evenings to share new skills with people around the world, including our own students. People have told us how much they look forward to seeing him in the evening and how much they have enjoyed the classes. What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? I think we will have an even stronger community feel within the centre and we will also have made many more friends from around the world. Name: David Harris Business: Kobe UK Nature of Business: Fabric supplier Around for: During the lockdown it was Kobe UK’s 25th anniversary. Based: UK sales office in Berkshire, Warehouse in Valkenswaard, Holland Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? If so, how have you been able to carry on? We have been able to keep trading during the current crisis as we took early steps to set up remote working for all the internal teams.
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
As the warehouse is mainly automated, with the cutting tables approximately five metres metres apart, Kobe was able to implement safe working and operational procedures. Have you found that sales have actually increased? Business has fluctuated. A number of our customers, whose businesses are based from home studio’s, design practices and workshops appreciated that Kobe could continue supporting their businesses. How else has the crisis affected what you do? The method of market approach has and will dramatically change, so we are busy working on new methods and keeping in touch with our customers. What sort of feedback have you had from your own customers? The team has received some really nice messages and spoken to as many of our customers as possible. Some have phoned in to ask for product support, some to just say ‘Hi’, some sharing concerns. If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And do you feel that there has been enough government financial help to see you through the closure? On a business level the UK government has been, in my opinion, supportive of all businesses, offering job retention schemes, business rate support, HMRC VAT deferment and Business Interruption Loans. They have reacted well although these things take time to implement. Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. We have been asked to support companies wishing to produce scrubs etc for the NHS.
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Supplying the trade since 1902
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Feature What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? People are taking time to say hello (at a distance). When you ask someone how they are, it means a lot more than it did a few weeks ago.
What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? A ‘root and branch’ review of just about everything globally, and a renewed sense of coming together when faced with this kind of threat.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us relating to the crisis? Stay safe and stay home.
Name: David Hayes Business: J.A.Milton Upholstery Supplies Nature of Business: Upholstery Supplies/ Training Course/Retail Shop Trading for: 31 Years Based: Ellesmere, Shropshire
Thank You NHS - from Kobe UK
Name: Richard Hooper Business: Tresithick Upholstery Training Nature of Business: Training School Trading for: 13 years as a training school, longer as an upholstery business (2003) Based: Cornwall Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? No trading since government lockdown.
Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? If so, how have you been able to carry on? We have managed to keep operating by being flexible and imaginative in our approach. We have had to cancel all our training courses until further notice and close our retail shop to the public to protect staff and customers. The supplies business is currently (mid-April) still working with all staff as it’s an online e-commerce business. Have you found that sales have actually increased? We have seen business increase on recent times and when compared year-on-year.
Have you found that sales have actually increased? No, enquiries have dropped off a cliff.
How else has the crisis affected what you do? Everything is more complex and time consuming. Planning is almost impossible as the situation is changing by the hour.
How else has the crisis affected what you do? It has prevented our sister company from servicing practical private client upholstery work.
What sort of feedback have you had from your own customers? 99% fantastic, quite humbling and with nice comments on our web site www. jamilton.co.uk and Trust Pilot reviews.
What sort of feedback have you had from your own customers? Little, but what there has been, has been stoic.
If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And do you feel that there has been enough
If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And do you feel that there has been enough government financial help to see you through the closure? Very optimistic but government support is yet to feed through.
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government financial help to see you through the closure? Having said planning is difficult we do have a contingency plan in place “IF” we have to close. My hope, more than plan, is to keep trading right through this crisis for the sake of our loyal staff and customers. If we did close, I know we could make it through three months, at a push six. It can always be better, but overall, I think the government has done what it can. The problem seems to be with the banks who administer the schemes rather than the government itself. Overall, support from people like FSB, Council, Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, customers and suppliers has been brilliant. There is a feeling we are all in this together. Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. A customer of ours is making Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) face masks urgently for the NHS and sent us a YouTube video of the process. We were pleased to supply materials to help him in their manufacture. Others have been sourcing materials for face masks and scrubs. What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? I believe it will help us recalibrate what’s really important. Having to live under this restriction has shown what is vital and what is nice to have. We all took too much for granted and have had to wake up to our own and everyone else’s mortality. We need each other. Is there anything else you would like to tell us relating to the crisis? I respect even more the WW2 generation. We have had two to three months of restrictions and worry. They had to live with it for five long years with an uncertain conclusion right to the end. I hope the world does not go back to normal but keeps the community sprit we have rediscovered recently.
Team JAM - Front row l-r Chris Matthews, Lauren Cameron, Sue Devereux, Back row l-r Jamie Bridgwood, Tash Griffiths, Lee-Ann Davies, Corinne Hayward , Dave Elsley
Feature If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And do you feel that there has been enough government financial help to see you through the closure? I feel optimistic that we will re-open. Extra financial support from the government will be very important, as inevitably there has been a huge gaping hole in our income. I anticipate the repercussions will continue for about 12 months.
Joanna Heptinstall
Name: Joanna Heptinstall Business: Traditional Upholstery School Nature of Business: Training School Trading for: Nearly five years (as a school). At least 15 as an upholsterer before then. Based: Wiltshire, near Bradford on Avon Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? We had to shut down a week before the official policy came in. At that stage many parents couldn’t send their kids to school – and the majority of my students are parents. It was heart-breaking – possibly the hardest work-based decision I have ever had to make. Have you found that sales have actually increased? Students are still getting in touch and booking on courses for later in the year and even 2021. It’s not as busy as ’normal’ times, but it is heartening to know that potential new upholstery students are still out there planning for their futures. How else has the crisis affected what you do? I found it incredibly hard to go from being as busy as it’s possible to be... to suddenly having no work to go to. The only way to cope was to keep working: I cleared out my shed at home and re-instated it as a mini workroom/office, and have been ‘going to work’ across the lawn every day. What sort of feedback have you had from your own customers? They have been hugely empathetic and supportive... in fact they have kept me smiling.
Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. I was asked to help my workroom neighbour who is doing some frontline catering to make him and his team some facemasks. It was great fun and nice to be asked to do something useful. What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? Having been forced to stay at home, enjoy my family and make best use of my time has led me to re-evaluate my work/life balance, what I love doing, how I spend my time. Is there anything else you would like to tell us relating to the crisis? It’s amazing how ingenious you can be in times of need. We have been playing badminton for weeks with a screwed up ball of newspaper taped up with masking tape… who needs shuttlecocks! Name: Maria Willis Business: Maria’s Traditional Upholstery Nature of Business: Upholstery training centre Trading for: 10 years Based: Meppershall in Bedfordshire Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? No. We are unable to teach so the business is closed. How else has the crisis affected what you do? Students are disappointed and worried about completing their qualification.
do you feel that there has been enough government financial help to see you through the closure? We are optimistic that we shall re-open but there has not been sufficient government support for our business. We see many challenges ahead arising from this crisis in terms of managing our existing students to complete their qualification and recruiting new students for courses later in the year. Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. Our village support for the NHS; and ‘Clapping for Carers’. What ‘positives’ do you think might come out of this crisis once it is all over? Having to be resourceful in order to protect our business and being able to restart when it’s safe to do so.
Name: Tony Carn Business: South West Upholstery School Nature of Business: Training school Based: Chilcompton near Bath Has your business managed to continue trading during the current crisis? We have not been able to trade since the lockdown. We are a new training school starting the diploma course in September and have found students are not committing to courses at the moment due to the circumstances. If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And do you feel that there has been enough government financial help to see you through the closure? We will be able to survive and open thanks to the council grant we received. Tell us about any ‘acts of kindness’ or community involvement that you have witnessed/been part of during the crisis. All past evening students have been giving us positive support and can’t wait to get going again.
If your business has had to close, how optimistic are you that you will be able to re-open once it is safe to do so? And
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher
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MyDecozo HELPFUL HINTS FROM
The UK’s largest soft furnishings forum looks at the seasonal problem of creepy-crawlies in curtains. Have you ever visited a client who has had problems with holes appearing in their curtains? Or brought curtains into your workroom to shorten or re-model – then found they’re full of cobwebs or even worse, little dead insects? Customers often ask how to look after their curtains. The most important thing is to move them regularly, even if they’re dress curtains. Insects love dark and lifeless spaces; cobwebs can even be a food source for some of them. Fresh air, light and moving curtains and textiles discourages them from settling. There are two main kinds of insect that damage fabrics – carpet beetles and moths. Fine quality Feathers_h:fqf 30/11/2016 15:46
While clothes moth larvae only eat natural fibres and love wool, carpet beetles are not so fussy. They will munch furniture, hair, fur, books, and leather as well as carpet. Adult moths do not damage fabrics, it is the hatched larvae that eat wool such as carpets, curtains or upholstery. Moth larvae damage will show as small holes in woollen fabrics, and you may also spot small cocoons once they pupate. Carpet beetle damage shows as thin or bare areas of fabric, or areas where the nap has disappeared. They also shed their skins which you might spot in areas of infestation. Page 1
Carpet beetles can be very hard to spot as they are tiny. They like to live in cracks and crevices in carpets, furniture and textiles. They can fly and lay up to 100 eggs at a time. Once the larvae hatch, they are what do the damage. At about 2mm long they roll in a ball if disturbed. Adult beetles can grow up to 4mm and once they have hatched inside, they will try to move outdoors so may be found climbing walls or moving to get towards windows. As well as vacuuming, keeping traditional items like lavender sachets and cedar wood blocks tucked away near long curtains helps keep moths and beetles
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
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away. However, they are a deterrent and will not treat an existing problem. Carpet under beds and other furniture is a favourite place for beetles to live undisturbed. There’s a range of spray products for use in the home to guard against or treat minor infestations, but always check instructions first. Moth traps are readily available, but only catch adult moths which are not what damage fabrics but are a sign that you may have a problem. Carpet beetle can be very hard to eradicate without professional help, so if in doubt, get advice from a professional pest controller.
Picture courtesy of Curtains by Kate Tiffin. Glover Bros hh_Layout 1 02/11/2012 10:56 Page 1
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher
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Member Profile
GETTING TO THE ART OF UPHOLSTERY Name of business When established Owned by Location Speciality Number employed
Irving Interiors 2012 Carl and Wendy Irving Farnham Furniture and interiors/design and restoration Sole trader working in collaboration with professional practitioners.
How long have you been doing your job? My apprenticeship began in 1986 as a YTS trainee in upholstery through Burnley college.
Professionally, what is your greatest frustration? Cheap imported furniture and the damage it does to our industry. It is responsible for unrealistic expectation and pricing.
How long did it take to really learn the skill? After completing an advanced craft certificate in furniture in 1989 I felt competent to face the challenges of the furniture industry. Upholstery is the most diverse craft of all, in my opinion, so building on a solid foundation and learning new skills is crucial to achieve professional results.
Tell us about the most challenging project you have ever undertaken. One of my first commissions was a serpentine back Victorian sofa. As we began to strip it down the wood fell apart, crumbled and was beyond saving but we were able to rebuild the frame. Timber replacement was kept below the percentage required to retain antique status and value. The original mahogany was restored, we kept the horsehair and base rails and rebuilt the traditional upholstery.
Do you consider yourself a craftsperson or tradesperson? An artist! It is work that gives me an opportunity to express my creativity. What makes up the bulk of your work? It is varied and we work on site carrying out interior and furniture restoration. We also receive individual commissions for bespoke designs and antique furniture. What keeps you motivated? New challenges, interesting jobs and the people you meet. I also teach upholstery at Camberley Adult Learning Centre on Thursday evenings to help others experience the joy of craft. It’s great watching others grow. What aspect of your work do you most enjoy? Seeing the transformation of something once was considered broken to being valued and treasured once again.
And the most unusual/bizarre/funny request you have ever dealt with? To create a sofa, from scratch, for a couple, the lady being just under five feet and the gentleman close to seven! The solution turned out to be a beautiful piece of furniture and can be seen on my website, (blue fabric/chrome legs). What are the most pressing issues currently facing your business? I’m writing this in the middle of the coronavirus, and it is a pressing issue that is a concern for all. How long have you been a member of the AMUSF and how important has this been to your business? Richard Ranklin came out to see me in July 2015 and I immediately knew the association was essential for my practice and that being a member provided vital benefits.
Carl and Wendy Irving
Professionally, who or where do you turn to for advice/ a second opinion? Furniture Clinic for specialist leather advice, Nick Allan has fantastic knowledge of the industry and I talk daily to Susan Watson, Leeza Tupper and Leanne Halpin. Also, other upholsterers, such as my friend Steve Holland and Bevan Guy. And my wife Wendy Anne Irving who is an amazing textile designer. When you talk to a fellow upholsterer/ soft furnisher, the talk always turns to...? Discussions are always focussed on the positive. It’s not what the issue is, it’s the attitude towards the subject and discovering the right solution. How do you keep your skills and techniques updated? Keep an open mind and always keep learning. I learn a lot watching others and being around some of the industry’s finest. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in this business? Think big, start small and just keep going. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. What has been your proudest professional moment? During my YTS upholstery course I won the North Lancashire Training Group Prize. It was a moment that changed my life. Contact details: Tel 07830 468823 www.carlanthonyirving.com www.irvinginteriors.co.uk Email carlanthonyirving@yahoo.com
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED ON THE MEMBER PROFILE PAGE, CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT editorial@upholsterers.co.uk 18
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Tel: 01702 482510 Fax: 01702 826789 Email: enquiries@cushionsupplier.co.uk Bespoke cushion manufacturers to the upholstery and allied trades Fillings: ● Reflex foam ● Feather wrapped foam cores ● DeQuilled feather ● Duck feather
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Feature
BOXING CLEVER
As AMUSF training expertise spreads its net, U&SF reports of the success of one South Wales company, specialising in commercial upholstery, which has developed a bespoke training programme in close collaboration with the association. This feature was written before the outbreak of Coronavirus. As part of a £60 million global empire, the South Wales division of Orangebox is a vital cog in the biggest office furniture manufacturing business in the world. As makers of a huge range of modern commercial furniture, Orangebox products are sold internationally to high profile media centres, banks, schools, colleges and universities. Think Microsoft, HSBC, Chicago Art Institute, the BBC etc.
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With a worldwide staff of over 450 and offices in London, New York and Dubai, the Welsh arm of Orangebox has two manufacturing plants just north of Cardiff and a head office at Nantgarw. It produces assorted chairs, stools, sofas, modular furniture, tables and acoustic pods (basically free-standing offices or meeting rooms) with new designs being added all the time. And not unsurprisingly, it is
Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
highly dependent on skilled sewers and upholsterers. As the company found it increasingly difficult to recruit people with these skills, production manager Rod Miles realised the only way forward would be to train and develop the expertise in house. So, six years ago, Les Garbett was appointed as upholstery trainer: Mandie Charles joined two years later as the sewing machinist trainer. Les has been in the trade since 1982 and himself won a ‘Best UK Trainee’ award in 1984. After 10 years as an upholstery tutor at Bridgend College he joined Orangebox to teach young trainees everything from building frames to prep work, cutting and sewing upholstery. Said Les: “The company has an annual intake of about a dozen trainees, around half of them specialising in upholstery and half in sewing skills. The training was originally based on a City and Guilds format but in January 2019 we made the decision to switch to an AMUSF training course, believing it offered more detailed work and a better skill emphasis. “Working closely with Wendy Shorter (AMUSF director of training) we developed a one-year commercial course which sees our trainees spend nine months learning the skills in our in-house academy. They then spend three months in our main factory for hands on production experience and product training.
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Feature “Over the past five years, 40- plus youngsters have passed their training while being paid the national minimum wage and offered a full time contract on completion. We began our sixth year in January with a new intake of 11 recruits and moved our training academy from the shop floor to a new dedicated area on the first floor of our Hengoed factory. “We produce a massive range of mostly modern products, but I do teach the lads (and in six years there has only been one female trainee) some more traditional techniques, essentially for background information.” Mandie has enjoyed similar success with the AMUSF accredited sewing qualification – which tends to attract just female applicants. She said: “I joined the company, initially to teach Orangebox products, but now we cover all parts of the syllabus that Wendy Shorter writes on behalf of the association. “Along with Orangebox products, I teach the trainees how to make curtains, roman blinds, pelmets, scatter cushions etc. Last year was our first AMUSF intake and everyone passed the course with distinctions, something we are extremely proud of! This year we took on a further six students.” Between them, Les and Mandie have over 60 years’ experience in the furniture sector – and bosses from the American owned company have been so impressed
with their new training regime, they have replicated the scheme over in America. Said Les: “I guess the satisfaction for me is taking a really green trainee and seeing them develop. Watching them surprise themselves with what they can do is enormously rewarding. While we’ve always been proud of training our own in-house team of upholsterers and sewers, we feel we’ve made even more
headway since teaming up with the AMUSF. I can already see great potential in two of the people we took on in January. “These skills are absolutely essential to us, so having a solid, accredited training scheme in place will help to ensure the future of our business as well as provide many youngsters with an expertise that will equip them for life.”
2019 trainees being presented with their AMUSF certificates
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Digital World
SOCIAL
STANDING As the world became a radically different place, upholsterers and soft furnishers at home and abroad faced up to the challenges of the ‘new order’ in many different ways, posting their ‘pandemic projects’ and activity updates across social media platforms‌..
For student Milena Malecka, the lockdown was a chance to get to grips with her garden shed, which appeared in a montage of shots on Instagram (@the_amusf) in mid-April. “We’ve seen some of the AMUSF students using their time to start projects they’ve had on the back burner for a little while� said the post. Milena – who attends AMUSF Level 2 at Cornhill Courses in Collessie - spent time transforming the shed into her ideal workshop space as this picture shows. Original chair
The completed Mariners Rest
For Lorraine McIntosh, the unexpected stay-at-home time proved the ideal opportunity to complete a long cherished dream‌ as she showed fellow followers on the Upholsterers Friendly Forum Facebook site: “My lockdown piece – a project I’ve been meaning to do since August! It is ancient MacIntosh tartan teamed with Forest Green velvet.â€?
For those hoping to progress their studies during the lockdown @schoolofupholsteredfurniture was offering a series of online lectures to aid AMUSF students in their written projects. The lectures were being offered via Zoom and run twice a week in the evenings. Free and available to all current @the_amusf students, there were 60 spaces on top of those allocated for BSUF students.
Before COVID 19 changed all our lives – and in response to ‘It’s Love Your Pet Today’ day Ann Burns posted this pic of upholstery ‘assistant’ Meg on Facebook. Which, of course, then prompted a host of cute pictures – from kittens, devoted dogs and even a hamster hard at it in the workshop! And finally, who could resist sharing this post spotted on Facebook: OMG! Man shot 200 times đ&#x;˜ą with an upholstery gun. He is now fully recovered.
Meanwhile, over in France, Angela Holloway posted pictures of her ‘isolation’ project on the Upholsterers Friendly Forum Facebook site saying: “Now that I have been quarantined here at home in France for 15 days, I have time to play.� Angela told us her completed fish chair had been named the Mariners Rest and that she had learnt her skills from Pippa of Cheasman Upholstery in Maidstone, Kent.
Get your business seen by over 15,000 people on our AMUSF social channels. Promote your business for free to thousands of potential customers through AMUSF’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels. In June 2019, AMUSF posts were seen by over 8,000 people on Twitter and over 7,000 on Instagram. AMUSF members can showcase your business at no extra cost to all these people and more. More information from manjeet.upple@upholsterers.co.uk Follow the links below to find AMUSF on social media and make sure you like our pages to stay up to date with all our latest news and events. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.amusf/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/THE_AMUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_amusf/
A regular schedule of content is published on the AMUSF’s social media platforms (Facebook: @the.amusf; Instagram: @the_amusf; Twitter:@THE_AMUSF) and members are encouraged to share their own posts and also include the hashtag #AMUSF so content can be repurposed for the association’s social media pages.
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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher June/July/August 2020
Oak Hamburg Carver Jet Hopsack Seat
Oak Loire Chair Natural Hopsack
Q&A
IN THE HOTSEAT... …With Maria Willis, Maria’s Traditional Upholstery How would you most like to be remembered? For being patient and understanding in helping my students achieve their full potential. How would classmates at school have described you? Quiet and demure but never missing the opportunity to have a laugh at the teacher’s expense! And the teachers? Always trying to do my best but never reaching my full potential due to a lack of confidence. How did you get into this business? It all started as a gift from my hubby, Bill. He booked me on a week’s course at Tresithick Upholstery. Once I started, I was hooked. What would you class as your greatest achievement? Having my three boys and having the energy to bring them up. How did I manage that? Your greatest regret? Not getting involved with the wonderful world of upholstery sooner. I love teaching, running my own upholstery business and working on my pet projects. There’s so much to do! Is your glass half empty or half full? Definitely half full. I’m always optimistic about the future and see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve.
iPad to see the latest chairs listed on eBay. To then work on my pet projects and have everything fall into place first time! That’s a perfect day. Your desert island disc? ‘An upholsterers Work is Never Done’ by Sonny & Chair! If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing? Still buying lots of chairs but not having a clue with what to do with them.
When it comes to sport do you fall into the active or armchair camp? Football or rugby? I fall into bed. Sport is so boring!
What’s the best thing about our industry? The people you meet. Upholsterers are always very passionate about what they do and willing to share their knowledge and experience.
Your perfect day? To get up in the morning to a ready-made cup of tea and do a little surfing on my
What’s in your living room? A load of chairs that desperately need to be reupholstered or replaced!
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What winds you up? Watching some of the uploaded clips on the internet showing a person reupholstering a sofa in 10 minutes and raising peoples’ expectations of how quick and easy it is to do. What gives you the greatest satisfaction? Seeing a sense of achievement on a student’s face when they have completed a project which they thought was impossible. Doer or talker? Definitely a doer. Talking to a chair doesn’t get it upholstered. Best piece of advice to someone starting out? Don’t run before you can walk. Gradually build up your skill and knowledge base. Try to be self-funding as much as you can and don’t be frightened to talk to others who have started out for tips and advice.
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Stand B44 04/12/2019 13:40