Made in Yorkshire

The Totally Locally concept was born in Yorkshire and is now in operation all over the world. Its message is powerful and simple: “Independent businesses and shops are the bedrock of our communities and when they thrive they create real jobs, cohesive towns and strong economies.

“Each small business is far more likely to use local tradesmen, suppliers, makers, growers, accountants etc. than a big chain store. This means your money supports lots of other local businesses too.”

If you shop with an independent business around 80 per cent of each spend goes into the local economy and it’s more if you buy something that also made in the area. In Yorkshire, we are fortunate to have an abundance of independent traders and designer makers and their numbers are increasing.

Furniture is a growth area. The region is already renowned for its kitchen cabinet makers and they rival all of the expensive nationwide brands. Built-in furniture specialists abound and include Daedalian, Clarity Arts, The Secret Drawer and Treske, among others.

The latest stand-alone furniture maker is The English Cabinet Company. It was founded by Suzi Ellis after she struggled to find a well-made dressing table for her daughter’s room. She designed one herself and asked her husband, Richard, to get craftsmen at his contract furniture manufacturing firm, JT Ellis in Huddersfield, to make one.

It was such a success, that Suzi designed a whole range of timeless, painted furniture for the residential market and launched The English Cabinet Company.

It trades online shop and pop-up shops and offers everything from wardrobes and tables to drawers and dressing tables.

Over in Beverley, brothers Matthew and Andrew Galvin have a design and manufacturing operation creating contemporary furniture and they also have a store on Flemingate Beverley. Sam Anderson, based in Wensleydale, specialises in fine furniture and his trademark is colourful veneers that add vibrancy to the English hardwoods he uses.

Yorkshire also has a wealth of bed manufacturers. Hilary Devey Collection beds are made in Dewsbury, Beevers in Whitby makes bespoke mattresses and Leeds-based Harrison Spinks makes mattresses, divans and headboards under the Harrison and Somnus brands. Thanks to the falling pound, imported goods are more expensive, which is another reason to invest in home-grown products.

*Suzi Ellis’s home features in the Yorkshire Post magazine on Saturday, July 8.

*Useful Contacts

Harrison Spinks bed manufacturers, Leeds. www.harrisonspinks.co.uk

Sam Anderson Fine Furniture, East Witton, www.samandersonfinefurniture.co.uk

The English Cabinet Company, www.theenglishcabinetcompany.co.uk

Galvin Brothers store, Flemingate, Beverley, www.galvinbrothers.co.uk

For details on becoming a Totally Locally town visit www.totallylocally.org