Yorkshire is home to one of the largest concentrations of makers of high quality contemporary and traditional hardwood furniture in the UK. Most of these companies are ‘micro’ businesses (< 5 employees) with a strong design ethic and with important lifestyle considerations for the owners. They rarely have adequate resources to mount sustained, impact achieving marketing campaigns, although co-operation with initiatives such as the Thirsk Furniture Trail and Made in Yorkshire indicate they are keen to grow their businesses.
The aim of the project was to improve business opportunities for the Thirsk Furniture Trail, a group of 12 hardwood furniture manufacturers in the Thirsk area. It was anticipated that this would have the knock on effect of increasing the market for high quality hardwood timber from Yorkshires woodlands. The main project sponsor was the Countryside Agency with the furniture makers also contributing to the scheme.
Overall, the businesses found the project to be of use and some have found it to be particularly good at improving the promotional and marketing activity of the group. Those who were proactive in talking to potential customers have seen an increase in interest in their products and this is now resulting in increased orders for furniture.
Visit the Thirsk Furniture Trail website.
