We have always supported local businesses, employing local subcontractors, as well as using local suppliers wherever possible.
Over the past six months, we have started to focus more closely on the sustainable side of the company, looking at ways that our business processes can help to conserve and protect the environment. One of the ways we have addressed this issue is by re-vamping existing items of show home furniture, mostly larger items such as sofas and chairs. With our desire to use ‘local’, we have worked with another Penrith-based company ‘All Stitched Up’. Owner, Karen Richardson is a one-woman band and started the business, based just around the corner from Genesis Homes, six years ago. By re-using several items, We have saved money and helped the environment, whilst supporting other like-minded businesses.
Catherine Watson, Head of Brand and interior designer commented “Whilst we are a relatively young company, we are very in tune with the effect our business has on the environment. At the same time, we are focused on how we support local companies, thus supporting the economy of Cumbria where the majority of our buyers and colleagues live and work. Karen is fantastic. We have worked with her to re-use show home furniture from our nearly completed St. Cuthbert’s development in Wigton, to use in our new Quentin Park show home in Cumwhinton (opening end December). The cost of a sofa alone can run into thousands of pounds, but by re-covering one that we already had, we’ve helped a local business and it hasn’t cost the earth – literally! I’ve worked in the house building industry for nearly 20 years and I don’t know of any other builders who take this approach, as the majority dress their show homes using furniture from national wholesalers.”
Karen, added “I’ve enjoyed working with Catherine and the team at Genesis Homes. It’s great to see major items of furniture being re-used and given a totally different look for the fraction of the cost of a new item. Up-cycling and re-cycling are certainly on trend, you just have to turn on the TV or look at social media for inspiration, and it’s definitely the way forward in terms of how we can all do our bit in helping the environment.”
-ends-
Notes to editors:
- For further information and interviews please contact Catherine Watson, [email protected], or tel 01768 800878.
- Photograph attached of Catherine and Karen (left to right) on one of the re-upholstered sofas.