Member Article

Newcastle-based Furniture Clinic ‘to increase capacity by over 300%’

Furniture Clinic, a Newcastle-based furniture restoration business, is targeting growth after the completion of a major expansion project.

The business, started by MD Ben Staerck’s father Keith over 10 years ago, has completed a significant expansion increasing its floor space from 12,500 to 16, 500 sq. ft. The expansion will allow the business to increase capacity by over 300% and to take on more staff.

Furniture Clinic, which also comprises sister company Handbag Clinic, which restores handbags, is now going for growth. It plans to employ an additional eight employees and to take on ten members of staff across both companies before the end of 2015. The investment has also enabled the business to take on two new apprentices.

Ben Staerck, managing director, said: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new extended and refurbished premises following this major investment in facilities.

“The increased work space has allowed the combined businesses to increase capacity by over 300%. For Handbag Clinic, this allows more bags to be cleaned, repaired and restored; something which is vital after the success of the London Store.

“For Furniture Clinic, this allows for an increase in office space, production and warehousing helping the business to cope with rapidly increasing demand and to facilitate expansions into export markets. Thirty per cent of Furniture Clinic’s client base is currently made up of overseas sales, and there is further room for sustained growth.

“We’re confident that our investment in facilities will ensure that we meet, and even exceed, growth targets. It will allow the business to increase capacity by over 300% and to take on additional members of staff.”