The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) is to highlight the importance of Britain’s furniture industry during a four day exhibition at the House of Commons.
As the voice of the British furniture and bed industry, the BFC will showcase the excellence and variety of furniture manufactured in the UK in the heart of Westminster from Monday July 9.The aim is highlight the fact that the industry contributes £7 billion to the economy and supports in excess of 100,000 jobs across more than 6,000 companies.
Said BFC chairman Paul von der Heyde: “The BFC has been working with government and parliamentarians to improve recognition of the industry. This exhibition demonstrates the size and contribution made by the industry to the economy and showcases key manufacturers in the UK.”
The high profile exhibition is being held at the Upper Waiting Hall, House of Commons (July 9 to Thursday July 12 between 10am and 6pm) and will be seen by MPs, peers and civil servants.
The exhibition is sponsored by Stephen McPartland, MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group and is being supported by a launch event at the House of Commons at 4pm on July 9.
A PR campaign, focusing on attitudes towards ‘Buying British’, will underpin the BFC’s latest initiative with results of a major consumer survey due to be released to online and offline national print and broadcast media to coincide with the start of the exhibition.
Said Paul von der Heyde: “It’s clear from this research that British made furniture still has a lot of support across the UK. While the sector has undoubtedly experienced weaker demand across world economies, there is a loyalty towards British made product that has enjoyed a fillip as a result of royal celebrations, the Euros and forthcoming Olympics.
“UK furniture manufacturing remains a substantial industry and while there is widespread recognition of that fact among the public, our focus during the exhibition will be to reinforce to government and parliamentarians the sector’s significance.”
