This Friday, 23rd September 2022, iconic Macclesfield interiors retailer, Arighi Bianchi will be raising a glass to National Family Business Day 2022 – in celebration of 168 years as a family run business.
With a heritage that dates back to 1854, Arighi Bianchi – famed for its grade II listed building in the heart of Macclesfield – is one of the longest running family-owned furniture businesses in the UK.
The company sells a range of contemporary furniture and accessories for the home, as well as carpets, flooring, blinds, curtains and fitted kitchens through its Kitchenality concession.
Last year 4th generation family member, Sarah Bianchi was appointed to the role of Managing Director as the business looked to significantly increase is national e-commerce presence. The business also welcomed a fifth-generation member of the Bianchi family to its team to help spearhead this growth, as Lucy Mather joins as Head of Communications.
Trading from Macclesfield’s Silk Road since 1883 – the pandemic marked the only time that the store had closed since 1919 when it closed due to Spanish flu. It had even carried on trading during both World Wars and made parachutes as part of the WW2 war effort.
While the business had already experienced year-on-year digital sales growth since launching online in 2015, it was whilst its doors were closed in 2020 that its ecommerce site was well and truly brough to the fore. As such the past two years has seen its online orders boom and this is now a firm focus area for growth as it aims to take market share from online furniture store stalwarts such as John Lewis, Made.com and Next. Last year the business turned over £18m.
Extremely proud of its roots, this week the business is supporting National Family Business Day – a day which celebrates the role that family businesses play in the local economy.
Studies show that there are around 6 million family firms in the UK today, that they account for more than 12 million jobs and generate around 25% of GDP. It is also recognised that the greatest part of Britain’s wealth is held within family businesses. The family business sector is a force to be reckoned locally, regionally and nationally.
As Paul Andrews, Founder of Family Business United, organisers of National Family Business Day adds, “This is a campaign that celebrates firms that are at the heart of the UK economy and the focal point of many towns and villages across the UK. Family firms have a story, a real narrative, often entwined with history and heritage and it is their very essence and the family connection that makes them special. They care too and if you add that to the fact that they are significant economic generators and referred to as the engine room of the UK economy, you can see why they deserve to be celebrated too.”
“National Family Business Day helps to raise the profile of the positive contribution that family firms like Arighi Bianchi make on a daily basis throughout the UK and we are encouraging all family firms to get involved.”
“Family Business United is all about the family business sector, championing their cause each and every day and it is a real privilege to serve the sector. Family firms are special, they are the backbone of the UK economy and will be for generations to come. For me, they put the GREAT in Great Britain and we look forward to celebrating all that they do on National Family Business Day on September 23,” concludes Paul.
Sarah Bianchi, Managing Director of Arighi Bianchi, said: “As a family business, we are delighted to be taking part in a day that celebrates businesses like ours. We are proud to be a family firm that has been in operation for almost 170 years and continue to look to the future, continuing to invest in our family business future.”
“One of my priorities when I took on the role of Managing Director was to build our national brand. We’ve already made some great progress here attracting a younger audience and gaining coverage for our online products in national home interest media. As such an established business in the North West, we’re extremely well known among the older generations – but we want to communicate the breadth of our offer and showcase the contemporary furniture and accessories we stock that appeal to fashion conscious buyers.”
Sarah added: “I’m also proud that Lucy, my daughter, has joined us to support our digital progression. Lucy is helping us to utilise the latest digital techniques to reach our audiences nationwide, through the site, social and PR.”
Arighi Bianchi caters for all types of interior styles – from stylish, bright contemporary furniture to more traditional looks. It has designer ranges as well as a wide range of products from independent makers, with a focus on quality and provenance. The business also offers an interior design service and its store has a popular Café Bar within its 70,000sq ft interiors emporium.
It was Sarah’s great Grandfather Antonio Bianchi who founded the business, alongside fellow Italian craftsman Antonio Arighi. Employing 150 people, the business is still owned and run by members of the Bianchi family.
