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In 1961 and with a young family Tony
Follett made the brave decision to leave his existing cabinet making
employer and embark on a route of his own.
From early hard times as many businesses find, he with partner (Eric
Dyer) began to build upon, what was to become an extremely successful
restoration and cabinet making business.
Whilst happily restoring furniture for other antique dealers in the
Hampshire area, where the business was situated, Tony and Eric were
desperately saving to reap the dividends of their own shop.
This in 1967 came to fruition, when they were able to purchase a
building that not only brought the polishing and workshops under one
roof but also had the colossal benefits of a main street shop.
And so retailing began.
Whilst phenomenal success was being brought upon with their bespoke
cabinet making workshops, so now came the opportunity to supply.
Within a few years huge dining tables were being ordered and many grand
antiques were being restored for influential customers throughout the
UK.
American, Dutch and German Embassies along with the Duke of Norfolk at
Arundel Castle had all become customers of Tony and Eric’s partnership
in Gosport, Hampshire. Major naval orders from Admiral’s to high ranking
officers in Canada were on the supply chain of Dyer & Follett’s growing
business. They now employed up to 8 skilled cabinet makers and French
polishers, and remember we are still just in to the 1970’s.
And so the business progressed until 1976 when at the age of 42 Tony
decided that he wanted a slight change. Always being a person that was
extremely proud of his skills, he wanted to get back to using them,
hands on, and not just being an overseer to others. With wife Joan (who
had been at the forefront from the beginning, and had worked in the new
shop when it had opened), son John (in his 2nd year of cabinet maker
apprenticeship) and daughter Marion (still at school), the Follett
family moved and embarked upon a new business in Tavistock, Devon.
And so what was (and still is) H.A.Follett & Son was born – 1st
September 1977.
Workshop duties by day and shop preparation by night was the order of
the many, many days in the early beginning s of a raw ‘Follett’s of
Tavistock’.
By spring 1978, the first retail shop of H.A.Follett & Son was opened,
selling a mixture of Follett’s restored antique furniture, reproduction
furniture and a range of brass & copperware that was extremely popular
at that time.
By 1981 the retail operation had become a massive part of the business
and at this time John Follett embarked on his first solo responsibility,
(he got married to Debbie) and began to directly order reproduction
furniture from many small manufacturer’s rather than middle man.
And unknowingly at the time, so was the birth of today’s ‘Follett’s of
Tavistock’
Over the next few years ‘Follett’s’ employed directly (8), concentrating
upon special orders and restoration. They also sub contracted many
people in the supply chain of new reproduction furniture.
Soon the obvious option of selling compatible associated goods came into
being but still very much based on small quality manufacturers.
Mirrors were one of the first, and as with a good ‘Follett’s’ tradition,
they are still happily using the same small family business today to
provide a quality yet competitive product.
As things moved on, so correctly, did the business and before long, many
items that are on display on this website came into being. All products
are scrutinised by the ‘Follett’s’ family quality control.
As time goes by so things continue to change......
Tony and Joan Follett (founders) retired to the extremely difficult life
that retirement in Exmouth, Devon offers.
Debbie (remember her from 1981) brings new thought patterns into the
business, and so the lamps, shades and lighting part of the business was
born.
Like history repeating itself, so the next part of the ‘Follett’s’ story
begins.
Debbie Follett embarks upon a strategy of offering not only lamp bases
but shades as defined by the customer. So within 2 years we have a
personalised shade department where customers can bring in their bases
and pick shades, ceiling shades etc., etc to compliment their homes.
The complete circle of customer choice – Our aim is to try to supply.
We cannot promise the world but we offer more options than any one else
we know.
Why?
Because, without high pressure salesmanship (nobody at Follett’s is on
commission) we are in a position to tell you the truth.So, once you are
happy with us and our principles, it will take us 10 years to furnish
your home. No silly promises. No stupid extras. We will work
around you.
Yes, we take Visa etc.
No we don’t do Interest Free Credit – Why?????????????
Because you have to pay for it – SOMEWHERE!
We believe that it is cheaper for you to arrange finance with your bank
or existing credit card issuer, Visa/MasterCard, than us offering you
INTEREST FREE CREDIT that YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR.
Talk to us- we do listen.
The Future
Daniel Follett (3rd Generation) joined the firm in 2001, and has gone
through the same learning curve that John went through before he took
the business over in the mid 1980’s.
Keen and knowledgeable at an early age and aware that the customer
should always be offered the best possible service whilst always telling
the truth, he is already amassing a dedicated number of customers that
request his attention. The best possible compliment.
He has just arranged a dedicated online telephone number to speed the
service offered and takes full control of the latest lines for 2005.
The Retail outlet has just moved to offer limited free customer parking
and has joined forces with Ken Shield of ‘The Gas and Stove Centre’ in
Tavistock. Another business of more than 20 years experience.
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