Heritage of Lees
Established in 1901 by Arthur Lee
Lees Furnishers have been suppliers of home furniture in Grimsby & Lincolnshire for over 100 years. The company’s history began with Arthur Lee who established the business in 1901. Today as a fourth generation family business our focus remains on the quality of the furnishings and service we offer our customers.
FROM THE
EDWARDIAN ERA
The history of Lees furnishers began when it was established in 1901. Arthur Lee set up his business in modest premises in Grimsby offering a selection of carpets, linoleum, beds and bedsteads. 1901 was the Edwardian era of style, glamour and understated elegance. Discerning homeowners were drawing inspiration from cinema, travel and publishing, discovering exotic looks from fashionable retailers such as Liberty of London. It was an exciting and innovative time in furnishing and the right time for Arthur Lee to open our original store on Victoria Street in Grimsby.
EXPANSION
Arthur Lee soon realised he needed more space and expanded into a larger building next door. This larger remises would be the home the home of Lees Furnishers for decades to come. It allowed for a greater range of products including cabinetry and upholstery as well as table and glassware.
As our premises expanded so did the services, we offered which led to the development of our very own workrooms where curtains and cabinetry were made in house. The photograph on the left was taken as our specialist team of fitters prepared to start their day. Our attentive and detailed approach to our fitting and curtain making services has continued and those principles continue today
FROM HORSEDRAWN CARRIAGES TO
MOTORISED VEHICLES
After depending on horse drawn carriages to deliver our furnishings for a number of years, motorised delivery vehicles became available. This transformed the way in which we delivered to our customers and enabled us to provide the superb service which we continue to offer today.
A MOVE INTO
NEW PREMISES
Having occupied 67-71 Victoria Street for over 70 years in 1982 John and Mike Lee, the third generation of the Lee family made the bold decision to move to 222 Victoria Street (our home today). They had seen the changing nature of the retail landscape with more and more people driving cars and with it a greater need for car parking. Previously a builder’s merchants, the new premises offered a larger more open plan showroom with large windows onto Victoria Street combined with a generous car park to the rear.
TO THE
PRESENT DAY
As a fourth-generation family business, Lees Furnishers is still at the forefront of home furnishings, with our large Victoria Street store. Our premises aren’t the only thing that’s expanded. Today, a fabulous range of furniture, fabrics, lighting and accessories from some of the best manufacturers in the world have joined Arthur Lee’s original catalogue of beds, bedsteads, carpets and linoleum.
STILL COMMITTED
TO OUR VALUES
Although many years have passed, a few things haven’t changed, one thing in particular being our outstanding quality. Whether you’re dealing with our friendly and knowledgeable staff, or benefitting from our attention to detail from initial enquiry to delivery and beyond, quality is at the heart of everything we have done for more than 100 years and everything we can offer you today.