A FAMOUS family-owned furniture company is expanding down south, with a move into a former candle factory.

Barker and Stonehouse has invested £1m in a new showroom in Battersea in London which will create 28 new jobs and be the ninth store the company has added to its portfolio since it first started trading in Stockton in 1946.

The 25,000 sq ft showroom will be based over two floors in the historic Price’s Candle factory established in 1830. 

The building has a North-East connection through world renowned Middlesbrough steel makers Dorman Long.

Barker and Stonehouse managing director, James Barker, said: “Our head office is in Middlesbrough and the steel in the building’s interior is from Middlesbrough-company Dorman Long. It was a nice surprise and we’ll be retaining as many features of the original iron framework as possible.

“We’re also delighted to have found such a great building for the store. Apart from the beautiful architecture it has beautiful natural light and its own car parking.  There was also a twist of fate as we discovered a North-East connection while renovating the building.

“We’re really excited about this new store, we feel the time is right to expand to the South and we’re confident that we’ve got a lot to offer the London audience. We’ve invested heavily in developing our own exclusive ranges so we know we’ve got something different to offer customers.”

Darlington contractor McLuckie Projects Limited, which masterminded the company’s recent £4m flagship store in Knaresborough, worked on the latest project.

The new store will sell furniture from the pioneering Trees4Trees sustainable forestry foundation which Mr Barker played a leading role in setting up.