A story that’s been crafted over four generations
Here at Plumbs, we’ve been transforming homes for over 60 years. In that time, our name has become renowned for service, quality and craftsmanship you can trust. Discover our full story from 1953 to today.
Crafted by our family. Loved by yours.
Over the years, Plumbs has grown and evolved, but the heritage of our name remains close to our heart. We spoke to Sarah Page, Managing Director and third-generation family member, about how our history shapes Plumbs today.
“There’s care and craft in everything we do.”
When my grandparents opened their market stall, which would later grow into Plumbs, they set out the values that still guide us today: friendly service, skilled craftsmanship, and quality people could depend on. More than 70 years later, those same principles remain at the heart of everything we do and continue to define what makes Plumbs so special.
We are proud to still be family run, with four generations helping to shape our journey so far. What we value most, however, are the communities we have built along the way. From our dedicated craftspeople, some of whom have been with us for over fifty years, to the loyal customers whose homes we have transformed, we are honoured to play our part in Britain’s long tradition of textiles.
The Early Years
In 1953, Tom and Bernice Plumb could be found on the market stalls of Lancashire, selling a selection of furniture pick-me-ups. Their reputation for friendly service and quality products grew steadily, and in 1960, Plumbs was officially opened. At the time, the furniture market offered a limited range of shapes and styles, and with stretch fabric arriving from America, they began to offer a selection of furniture covers.
Geoff Plumb, their son, inherited this entrepreneurial spirit. Spotting the potential in their products, he placed a small classified advert in the newspaper — a move that would mark the start of a thriving mail-order business.
Change & Growth
This early success was briefly interrupted by the 1971 postal strike, and in response, Geoff opened a series of high street shops. Offering everything from furniture covers and curtains to slippers and bedding, these stores were among the very first UK home department stores. A true pioneer, Geoff was even one of the first to introduce continental quilts to the UK. By the end of the 1970s, more than ninety Plumbs stores could be found across the country.
As the furniture market continued to evolve, with new shapes and styles of suite emerging, it became clear that a more personal and bespoke approach was needed. The 1980s saw the introduction of our made-to-measure collection and home consultancy service — two offerings that remain pivotal to Plumbs today.
Plumbs Today
As our service evolved, our range of products was refined for a new generation. Made-to-measure furniture covers remained core to our range, and in 2003 we introduced our handcrafted reupholstery service, offering customers another sustainable way to revive their favourite pieces. In recent years, we have also expanded our Complete Window Service, providing curtains, blinds, tracks, poles, and more.
Today, four generations of the Plumb family have contributed to the company, with Sarah Page, Geoff’s daughter, now serving as Managing Director. We’re proud to have an incredibly skilled team, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years, bringing a unique sense of pride and passion to every order. We’re also delighted to offer an apprenticeship scheme and work with independent craftspeople across the country, supporting the preservation of traditional craft skills in the UK.
Through all these years, our commitment to quality, care, and heritage remains at the heart of everything we do.
Discover our archive
From old catalogues to community events, we’ve gathered some of our favourite moments from across the years. Take a quick look back at our journey and see how Plumbs has evolved over the years.
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Sofa Covers
Measured, made and fitted for you, each cover we make is expertly tailored to your furniture
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Customer Gallery
Be inspired by real home transformations and see how our customers have reimagined their homes with a selection of made-to-measure products and beautiful fabrics.
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Special Offers
Love your home for less with our selection of special offers across sofa covers, reupholstery and curtains.