Acquisition sees merger of two Cheshire show home specialists

Cheshire show home interior designers, Lifestyle Interiors, has completed the acquisition of fellow Cheshire-based show home interior design specialist Kerry Jane Interiors in a deal believed to be worth around £500,000.

The acquisition helps fulfil the company’s strategy for growth through organic expansion and acquisition.

Both companies will continue operating under their own names for the foreseeable future, but ultimately are set to work under the Lifestyle Interiors brand from mid next year.

Gemma Schofield, managing director of Middlewich-based Lifestyle Interiors, bought out the original Lifestyle Interiors founder Elaine Gore in April 2018.

Since then the company has undergone a full restructure and re-branding, and has expanded its offices, with turnover increasing by 35% in the past year.

Gemma, who is joined in both businesses by her fellow director and husband, former England international rugby player Dean Schofield, said: “Kerry has done a wonderful job building Kerry Jane Interiors into a well-respected company over the last 33 years.

“The teams already have a very good relationship as both companies have collaborated or shared resources in the past to complete jobs. When Kerry mentioned she wanted to retire it made complete sense for Lifestyle to acquire the business.”

The two companies have recently collaborated and shared resources on a number of projects for some of the UK’s best-known housebuilders.

The new combined business will benefit from a large warehouse, an in-house installation team and in-house sewing room, as well as strong customer service and administration support.

The collaboration also sees a stronger market presence delivered by a large team of senior designers with fantastic industry reputations.

Kerry Tornetta, who started Congleton-based Kerry Jane interiors 33 years ago, said: “I have loved every minute of building and growing my show home design business, but the time is right for me to step down now.

“Lifestyle Interiors is an extremely driven and ambitious business, so it made perfect sense for the business to merge with them.

“Staff from both companies already have good relationships so I am confident it will be a smooth transition and our current clients will receive an even better service than they had before, together they will both be stronger and there is so much potential for further growth.”

Gemma said: “I cannot wait to join forces with the girls from KJI. We have so much exciting work between the two companies in 2020 that I am confident it’s going to be a brilliant year ahead.

“Whilst every company wants to turn a healthy profit, the focus for me has always been on trying to put our stamp on the industry and to deliver excellent customer service by giving our clients the best designs and an even better service during and after install.”

Lifestyle Interiors works across the UK supporting all major national and regional home developers as well as private clients.