Recruitment boost from £1m venture

Richard Grafton Interiors launches tomorrow from 3,000 sq ft retail and showroom premises on The Ginnel in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter.

The new business represents a total investment of £1m by owner Richard Grafton, a Harrogate-based interior designer.

The business has recruited five experienced design and sales staff and plans to expand further over the coming months.

Mr Grafton, 45, who has 25 years’ experience in the industry, was formerly managing director at James Brindley in Harrogate and Wetherby.

He has launched the new business with his own investment to cater for “a growing demand for commercial and residential design products and services across North and West Yorkshire”.

He said: “I wanted to take the opportunity to have control over my future, and the time just seemed right to take the leap and launch my own venture.”

The business provides an interior design service and also offers design-led interiors products, from fabrics, flooring and wall coverings to bespoke kitchens and bathrooms, furniture and objects d’art.

Mr Grafton said: “The economy is suffering, but the market is still strong for the right style of design, using the best-quality materials and suppliers but still showing sensible value, and that has given us the confidence to launch this venture now.

“With interest in the showroom from private clients as well as enquiries from a number of businesses for design projects on offices and hotels, we hope that we will be able to expand the team in the near future,” he added.