A FAMILY run furniture store in Nantwich is celebrating 40 years in business this month.

Webb House Furnishers, on Mill Street, is run by husband and wife, Howard and Joan, with the support of their three children, Neil, Rebecca and Yvette.

Howard Webb set up the company in 1974. Originally an upholsterers, the company spent its first twenty years based at Mill Street in Crewe.

It wasn’t until 1994 that the store moved to its current premises, a grade 2 listed building in Nantwich.

Despite recession spelling the end for many small businesses, Webb House Furnishers is proud to have stood the test of time.

Howard puts the stores longevity down to good service, hard work and loyalty, but most of all, being quick to adopt modern technology.

Howard said: “The business has always been well managed. We introduced computers in the early days to provide a customer database with sales order processing and accounts software.

“Not only does it keep good financial control of the business, but also, to facilitate better customer service and enable good communication via our website, post, email and mobile text.”

A true family affair, Joan joined the business in 1987. Her background in retail made her idea to take the helm, where she manages the sales team and overseas the order processing.

It was not long before Howard and Joan’s son Neil took to the business. Neil looks after sales and marketing for the company and says it is this family bond that keeps customers loyal to the store.

“The family aspect of the business is always at the base of everything we do, people put their trust in a long standing, family company.

“We’re now looking forward to the next 40 years,” he added, “and busily developing the e-commerce side too.”

But though the company keeps its eye on the future, Howard will always be grateful for the customers who have been with them from the start.

Howard said: “It is always a pleasure when our old customers come in and compliment us on the work we did for them many years ago.”