Wallpaper firm Walker Greenbank thrives in recession

UPMARKET wallpaper firm Walker Greenbank said Chancellor George Osborne’s family firm had helped it paste the recession yesterday.

Wallpaper firm Walker Greenbank has thrived in the recession Wallpaper firm Walker Greenbank has thrived in the recession

Chief executive John Sach said the popularity of its UK manufactured printed fabric and wallpaper for customers such as Osborne & Little, co-founded and chaired by the Chancellor’s father Sir Peter Osborne, had led to a record first-half.

“We’re the last blacksmith in town,” said Sach. “Our wallpaper is made in the UK by artisans. You can’t replicate that in the Far East. It is high design and even our competitors buy from us.”

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People choosing to decorate their home instead of moving house and more of a “stay at home” culture in the recession had helped first-half profit climb to £2.31million from £570,000 last time on sales up 16 per cent to £33.7million.

“The trend away from a sea of beige a few years ago to bright floral patterns has also been beneficial. You’ll see our brands all over John Lewis,” said Sach. “We are comfortably beating pre-recession levels.”

He said austerity cuts would not “dramatically” affect its customer base and is confident of strong annual results.

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