Property
Sofa , so good ...
They have worked for some of the best-known furniture companies around – but now young upholsterers Aaron Anderson and Emily Pritchard are offering a more personal , bespoke service to customers in the Isle of Wight . The pair - who met in Nottinghamshire , the centre of the UK ’ s upholstery industry – launched their Ryde Upholstery business in East Street three years ago . With its promise to “ love furniture back to life ”, it has attracted a steady stream of customers and their much-loved old sofas and chairs . Emily , who grew up on the Island , has a BA honours degree in Furniture and Product Design from Nottingham Trent University ,
and worked for 12 years for topend businesses including Wade and Parker & Farr . Her partner Aaron , who is from Nottinghamshire , went straight from school into an apprenticeship , and then worked for companies such as Laura Ashley and Sofa Workshop . After returning to live on the Island , they did upholstery jobs for friends before deciding to get back to what they love , by launching their own business in late 2013 . Emily said : “ We see lots of people who are reluctant to throw out a good quality sofa that might be 10 years old , and they are amazed at the transformation that can be made just with a new fabric .
“ Reupholstering can certainly cost less than buying new , and once we ’ ve put a piece back together it will often be better quality than a brand new one , too ”. Contact Ryde Upholstery on 01983 616616 or see the website : www . rydeupholstery . com
Business is upwardly mobile !
A Ventnor business that specialises in new and pre-owned mobility aids has gone from strength to strength since it opened three years ago – so much so that it has had to relocate to larger premises . Ventnor Mobility quickly outgrew its original base in Pier Street and recently moved to a much larger unit with parking , at the town ’ s Old Station Industrial Estate off Mitchell Avenue . Owner Laurie Durham , who worked in the mobility business on the Island for 15 years before launching out on his own in 2013 , says the new premises offer customers a much wider choice of products , as well as plenty of space to try out bigger items such as scooters and walking aids .
He is also the only supplier on the Island who buys as well as sells mobility equipment - and this means he can offer customers good quality preowned items at considerable cost savings over buying new . Laurie ’ s personal service also extends to
making home visits by appointment , for those customers who are unable to get to his premises . He says : “ I offer a very personal kind of service and my experience means I can assess every situation and suggest what will work best for the person . It ’ s not just about selling - it ’ s about what people need .” With a product range that includes everything from riser-recline chairs and stairlifts to scooters and wheelchairs , walking aids and bath aids , Ventnor Mobility has carved out a unique business niche on the Island . For more information call 01983 855545 or visit Ventnor Mobility Centre , Unit 4 , Old Station Road , Ventnor , PO38 1DX .
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