45 years of Lukehurst Furniture celebrated with new store opening

In October, Lukehurst celebrates its 45th anniversary. The first store was opened in Rainham by Gerald Lukehurst in 1970 when he was 53 years old. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength, always remaining in the family. Lukehurst is now jointly run by Gerald’s son Martin and his granddaughter Kathryn, and we’re currently getting our new store ready in time for the grand opening.

Gerald was excited to open his first shop, however the first day’s takings were far from illustrious. Just one pillow was sold at a cost of 4 shillings and 11 pence. Luckily Gerald wasn’t put off, and the business quickly grew. A new shop in Watling Street, Chatham opened in 1972 when Gerald’s son, Martin, joined the family business.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s we continued to grow. In the late 1970s three retail units opened in Rainham shopping centre, and the flagship Rainham High Street store opened a short two years later. In 1983, Lukehurst took over the former Nash’s furniture store in Sittingbourne High Street. This store was open until 2010 when the Mill Way Retail Park outlet opened. Kathryn Lukehurst became joint managing director with her father, Martin, in 2014, creating the third generation of Lukehurst Furniture.

 

The future of Lukehurst Furniture

This autumn, Lukehurst is moving into a brand new showroom in Mill Way, Sittingbourne. The new store is a third bigger than our existing site and is currently being upgraded into a bright, modern showcase for a wide range for furniture and fabrics. It will display a much wider range of products by big brand names like Ercol, G-Plan and Parker-Knoll. Separate galleries will be devoted to Stressless furniture and Alexander James leather and fabrics.

We have just launched our new website that will give customers the first opportunity to buy a selection of our furniture online from the comfort of their homes. Martin Lukehurst said the expanded showroom and new website would give an essential combination of “clicks and mortar.”

“We are always looking to re-invest and move forward. With all the development that’s taking place in Sittingbourne, we are determined to continue to play a major part in the area.”

Come and pay us a visit!

 

16th September 2015

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