Homewares firm to expand HQ following funding deal

A company specialising in branded homewares has secured funding to extend its new premises.

Sophie Allport, a family-run business which was established in 2007, owns the 2.7-acre site in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

The business, which counts John Lewis among its clients and employs 55 people, is owned and managed by brother and sister Jem and Sophie Allport. The duo started the business at their home in Battersea, moving to the company’s first commercial site in 2009 – a unit on an industrial estate near Stamford.

Director Jem Allport said: “These new premises offer us a platform on which to grow the business. We have already extended the site to allow us to establish a layout that offers us the opportunity to work efficiently and to provide a great environment for our staff.

“There’s still more to do which will see us open an outlet store on this site, install a kiln and provide an opportunity for people to visit and see how some of our products are produced. We hope we will become a destination for people interested in the brand which in turn will be good for the local economy.”

Funding was provided by Barclays. Nigel Killock, relationship manager at Barclays, said: “Jem and Sophie have worked really hard to get the business to where it is today. They have a distinctive brand which is enjoyed by many and we are delighted we have been able to support them in the latest stage of the company’s development. The relationship with the business will now be managed by my colleague Simon Jenkin, who will support the business as it continues to grow.”