Business Profile: Willoby's Furniture Co

This business profile takes a look at local Swindon furniture retailer Willoby's.

The History of Willoby’s

Willoby’s was founded 13 years ago and for its owners furniture retail is in the blood.

The parents of Will and Tom Bowness, Mike and Lynn, had a chain of shops, Pine and Cane.

Will said: “I had the opportunity after university and after doing a few other things to start something new, which is where Willobys came in.”

Brother Tom, who studied animation at university and uses his drawing skills to help customers in need of bespoke items, joined the business.

In addition to its shop at 34 Wood Street in Swindon’s Old Town, which displays its wares over three floors, Willoby’s also offers its Cotswold Sofa Barn near Cotswold Water Park, off the A419 at Glebe Farm, Ashton Road, SN6 6RF.

 

An interview with Will Bowness:

As far as owners Will and Tom Bowness are concerned, the reasons for the success of Willoby’s couldn’t be simpler.

They pride themselves on selling items which have style and quality but are never excessively expensive.

Will said: “We have always wanted to sell things that I would want in my house.

“We always want things that are a little bit different to everywhere else, whether that’s in the bold colours of sofas or the shape and style of things.

“Customers can choose whichever colours they want to on lots of products.

“It’s to have things that are stylish and a little bit different for your house. To make a statement.

“It’s very hard to pin down a typical customer, because it’s from people buying their first home all the way to people buying for their retirement home.

“The majority would be in the middle. We mainly service Swindon and the surrounding counties but we have delivered down to the various coasts - Devon and Wales.

“We don’t ever deal with big brand names because you tend to get less for your money.

“We want to be able to find the smaller independent suppliers that are able to give a lot more product and quality for the money.

“You often get a quicker lead time and more choice from those suppliers as well, so we look very hard to find our suppliers.

“They’ve got to have the right product, essentially.”

Although the brothers insist that only items of the highest quality find their way into the Swindon Shop and the Cotswold Sofa Barn, prices are competitive.

Will said: “We’ve grown up with furniture retail in some form for all of our lives, and we are in the lucky position of having space for our warehousing and showroom, so we’re able to hold large stocks in order to get prices down.”

 

Further information:

Established - 2010

Address - 34 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AB

Telephone number - 01793 540512

Website - willobysfurniture.co.uk