Pocklington Carpets started trading in September 1984 from a rented warehouse in New Street, Pocklington. This was and old building nearly opposite the end of Burnby Lane. Now demolished and housing.

Our first Showroom was purchased Oddfellows Hall at 8-10 Union Street, Pocklington. This building had been used as a printers, a joiners shop and various other uses and we believe it was originally built by the Oddfellows of Manchester although we have no paperwork to substantiate this. Also 5a Union Street, Pocklington was acquired for additional storage and a “bed barn” created on the first floor for retailing branded beds for delivery from stock. This used to be Clancy’s builders yard.

A 12,000 sq ft property was purchased in George Street, Driffield. The large retail showroom was refurbished, a central distribution warehouse created and the administration and head office moved to the Driffield site. This was an old chapel at one stage. When we purchased it the previous owners were selling gardening equipment and lawn mowers.Not sure what it was exactly. Any help here would be appreciated.

A fully equipped curtain and soft furnishing workshop was added at Driffield, all soft furnishing making was now done in house.

Third branch added as a 8,000 sq ft property was purchased at Commercial Street, Norton, Malton. This property used to be a car garage and was a great size for displaying carpets and beds.

A full reorganisation of the systems and administration undertaken. Our first computer was acquired to run the expanding accounts. The restructure was needed as further branches were to be added. This was a DOS based computer that looked like something off Apollo 13. Now we have virtual desktops at each store and all accounting and invoicing is in real time.

Fourth branch added as Beverley retail showroom was purchased. A really nice old style building just outside North Bar. This was a Garage before we purchased it.

Laminate flooring added to our portfolio of products. Central warehouse created for the storing and distribution from pallet held stock.

Pocklington Carpets incorporated, becomes Pocklington Carpets Limited. A panic for everyone at the end of 1999 when no one really knew how computers would cope with the new millennium. Cost us all a fortune getting them all pre checked.

Sixth branch opened with the purchase of an existing showroom in Haxby, York. This was the Denis York Rug and flooring shop before we purchased it.

Branch seven opened at Pickering, North Yorkshire. This used to be the old bus station in Pickering. A very large building that has a mezzanine level for all our beds. Previously it was a fireplace shop.

With no government based training locally we saw the need to train local staff customer service skills internally. We started an training program for trainee carpet fitters so we can maintain our standards for the future.

Website updated to an easier cleaner format showing all the products we sell and a new contact form for customers wanting to contact individual branches by e-mail.

December 1st. Demolished entire building at Norton, Malton and started from Ground level to re-build a purpose built carpet showroom with five residential self contained flats above. Worked with the local council and residents to create a building in keeping with the area and showed a commitment to our customers in that area.

September Re-opened Norton/Malton Branch as our newest showroom with all new ranges of Carpets, Vinyls, Beds and Curtains on offer. Local residents all commented on how much nicer it made that part of Norton look.

January Pickering store closed for one month to re roof the entire shop area. We took the opportunity to put new displays and flooring to freshen the look. It looks great and feels lots warmer with the insulated roof.

September 1st saw the beginning of demolition at 5a Union Street. This was our carpet stores, remnants and bed barn retail area. It will eventually be converted into a new showroom with purpose built stores and two 2 bedroom flats above the shop.  

A total re-brand of our marketing collateral including a brand new responsive website designed by Andrew Jones was launched to bring Pocklington Carpets to a new audience.

The year of Brexit. The UK to leave the group of European countries and become independent has been a political trauma. Good or bad? We won’t know the effects for a long time. It has been a treading water year to see what will happen and how it will affect everything we all do.