Richard Burbidge, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of stair parts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings has relocated its head office to Chirk, North Wales, joining the company’s existing onsite manufacturing and distribution facility. As part of the ongoing development of the company, Richard Burbidge has relocated its office headquarters to join its existing manufacturing and distribution facility in Chirk. The Chirk site forms part of the extensive business history of Richard Burbidge, since it was initially acquired in 1986. The move will improve both the service and quality of products by having all staff in one location, unifying working relationships between all departments, from marketing to distribution, as well as improving efficiency, customer service and delivery. Mouldings Grading Facility Tony Miles, CEO of Richard Burbidge, comments: “The consolidation of all offices to Chirk is a big move and demonstrates just how serious we are about British manufacturing and sustainability. “We are a family business and above all, excellent quality and customer service are our priority. The move is already proving successful, with a unified workforce, improved communication and efficiency. “2020 is a big year for the company with increased marketing and production. Richard Burbidge is proving itself as a leading manufacturer of stair parts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings.”  

2020 has seen a dramatic shift in the way people view their homes. With approximately 24% of professionals now exclusively working from home,* what was once a sanctuary away from the stresses of work has now transformed into the office for many Britons, changing our priorities and design choices. Take a look at some of the ways we think the pandemic has shifted British interior design choices this year... Calming aesthetics As people spend more time at home, the need for more grounding spaces has grown in popularity and this is reflected in some of the key emerging trends in 2020. ‘Cottagecore’ in particular has surged in popularity this year. The quintessentially British aesthetic celebrates the joy of a simple, self-sufficient, rural life, with a return to traditional skills and crafts. The trend also focusses on sustainable living, something that is set to grow as people look to become more environmentally friendly. The wall panelling renaissance Requiring few tools and taking only a matter of hours to install, wall panelling and decorative mouldings have also soared in popularity this year, largely as a result of the ‘zoom boom’. As video calls have become part of daily life for many professionals, homeowners have had to consider how their homes appear in the background of their zoom calls. Compared to wallpaper, wall panelling provides a far more sophisticated appearance on a computer screen and is incredibly versatile, with the ability to make a large room look cosier and a small room more spacious. Buying British With the pandemic having an impact on many local, family businesses, there is also new drive to support and appreciate British manufacturers. According to the British Furniture Manufacturers (BMF) association, more than a third of consumers are more inclined to buy UK-made products than they were before the pandemic. Despite cheap competition from abroad, UK manufacturers have fought off competition by offering consumers individual and personalised products. Eco-conscious consumers For many consumers, the closure of physical shops has provided them with an opportunity to re-evaluate their shopping habits. A study conducted by LiveArea found that over a third of consumers have admitted they are now more eco-conscious than before the pandemic.* When making interior design choices, consumers are now turning to organisations such as the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) to help with their product selection. Setting the strongest available standard for new wood globally, the FSC® guaranteeing that timber has been sourced ethically from well-managed forests. We are proud to be FSC® certified and work with the finest quality British timber to create impeccable products. We strive to minimise our environmental impact and are committed to constructing all of our products sustainably, which is why we have been awarded an ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems certification. Visit our full range of products Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/01/number-of-people-working-from-home-in-uk-rises-following-government-u-turn https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/10/covid-boom-uk-furniture-firms-sitting-pretty