The Oswestry business diversifying to teach people new skills

That's exactly what has happened  at Days Upholstery,  based on the outskirts of Oswestry. 

Paul Day began the journey in upholstery in 1976 with an apprenticeship at A W Jones in Weston Rhyn, Shropshire. 

Over the years, he worked for various upholsterers, even managing a team to upholster the prestigious Dorchester Hotel in London,  and moved on to set up and establishing his own business in 1993.

Originally based on Salop Road, the business moved to a new workshop allowing it to focus on its family-centred approach to upholstery.  

Days Upholstery is now based at  The Court Yard, off Trefonen Road,  Llwyn-y-Maen, Oswestry and more than 30 years after being established by Paul,  the firm has built up a strong reputation for its work,  specializing in domestic upholstery and antique restoration.  

The business offers a wide range of re-upholstery services and uses the most suitable materials for the purpose of each and every project. Commercial projects include working with pubs as well as schools and businesses with waiting rooms. 

Domestic projects include anything from working  on chairs, sofas, headboards and outdoor seating.  

But now the family behind the business have launched Days Upholstery School - a chance for members of the public to develop their own skills in refurbishing worn or old pieces of furniture. 

It's an aspect in which the family firm, run by Paul, wife Eirwen, known as Wiggy, and daughter Gemma, is looking to thrive moving forward. After all, there's something appealing to us all about seeing an item revived, isn't there? 

Current courses offered include an in-person headboard upholstery workshop plus morning, afternoon and evening  classes where people can learn upholstery techniques as they work on their own projects. 

Gemma, who has worked at Days Upholstery herself for more than 20 years, explained: "This is a new set up for us as we are diversifying from traditional upholstery into teaching.

"The popular ones we have seen so far are the 'bring your own projects' because it is good value for money. We provide six weeks of support and pieces of furniture are done up in that time. A lot of people like to start on little projects.

"We have started doing headboard classes, featuring three different styles of headboards. They are very well put together headboards and the kind you would buy on line for £700 because they are such good quality. 

"We want, moving forward, to do more traditional upholstery classes, such as rebuilding a dining chair, or a foot stall, using horsehair, needles, ties, springs etc and, in the future, we will also be teaching people how to diamond button, which is a tricky skill to learn.

"Anything we can think of to do with upholstery, we will be putting it on there. We will see the main things that people are interested in but there's so much opportunity for different lessons."   

Moving forward, there is even scope to work with colleges and potentially  schools to take the family's upholstery skills to a new audience.

Gemma speaks with great passion about the new upholstery school which has been launched. 

"It's very rewarding particularly when you see the customer satisfaction," she said. "The ladies we have had, who are second week in, they are already seeing the results of their work. 

"They all go away so pleased, with a real sense of accomplishment. They are chuffed to bits seeing the results already of their work and it's really lovely to see people's reactions  the before and after.  People love that big reveal."

Gemma adds: "For me, I enjoy the work as well. Every day is different and you are working with all sorts of fabrics and materials."

"It's a really interesting trade and you are never bored. My favourite thing to do is diamond buttoning. I love a diamond buttoned chair when it comes in and I'm like 'leave this for me'." 

"It's just really satisfying when someone brings in a really quality piece of furniture and we get to make it new again. You know it will last them for another 30-40 years. 

"We are just really pleased now that we have diversified the business to provide classes and offer people the chance to develop their own skills."   

To find out more about the new classes, visit daysupholsteryschool.co.uk