The owner of a historic Nottingham shop has opened up about the secrets to the business's longevity. Staddons Bed Centre has traded from Radford Road for more than 100 years, opening in 1919.
Now owned by Neil Riley, it was his grandparents who first worked at the shop. They bought the business and since then it has been passed down each generation of their family. Neil is the third generation family member to own the furniture store and says it’s their relationship with the customers that has kept it successful throughout the 103 years.
The 46 year old said: “I think it’s like a lot of people say it’s nice to see us still here. People call in to say hello or ask how's your family. We’ve known the people for generations.
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“It’s reassuring for people in difficult times that we are still here. They can see every time they pass we are still in the same place offering the same service, so they definitely like it. Especially because the areas changed culturally and it’s nice we haven’t disappeared.
When asked about the key to a successful business Mr Riley said: “ The service, definitely the customer service, going over and above helping people. Offering good advice, we've got lots of years of experience. Staff have been here a long time, the staff, they know the products, they know the people. We can advise people on specifications.
Around 40 years ago, Staddons moved to its current building at 112-114 Radford Road. Before that, it was located at a different building on the same road. When Staddons was first established it was a number of shops, like a department store.
They used to sell products including school blazers, make-up and furniture. Over the years the family business concentrated on beds and furniture.
Mr Riley continued: “We do nursing homes, advise on those types of things, different health companies, it’s very broad. We know things that you wouldn’t even know that we know that we can advise on. For example, if you’ve got a property that’s got really difficult access we can get special beds made to fit through the windows, or narrow staircases, everything. And from a budget it’s really important for us, it’s important that we look after our local people.
“So we have to have things that they can afford and things that they can aspire to, so they can see something in the window and save up for it. But then we’ve got to look after all the other people who lived in the area and have moved away but they still come back. They might have been a child locally, been to school and now they’ve got their own business and they still want to come back here.
“And delivery, we deliver all over the UK, people look for us because we are independent, when people are buying from us online, they like it because we are an old established independent business, family as well. It’s important for people."
Before Mr Riley became the owner, his dad, Anthony Riley, was the owner - he is now retired. Anthony worked at the store for around 50 years. Neil always used to work at the store when he was little and since 2006 he has been the owner.
Mr Riley told Nottinghamshire Live how it feels to help continue the family business grow. He said: “It’s good, it’s nice because I like dealing with people and all the people we employ like working here. Loads of people who have worked here in the past, they’ll come back.
“I suppose we are a part of the community, I don’t think about it, because the community is really changing all the time. Little old ladies come to bring us cakes and stuff like that, it’s just important that we continue to be here for the next generation.”
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