Companies turning the tables on unwanted furniture problem
Two Sunderland businesses are turning the tables on the environment impact of unwanted furniture – by giving it a new lease of life.
City centre store, Harrison and Brown, often gets furniture traded i n or are asked to remove old items when a customer buys a replacement – and owner Mandy Brown put a stop to theses discarded pieces simply being thrown away or end up in landfill.
The solution came when s h e d i s c ove re d A n dy m a n Upcycling – which is based at Jacky Whites Market at the Bridges.
Thanks to Andyman Upcycling owner Andy Buddin’s crafty touches, the furniture gets a new, unique look – and is ready to take pride of place in someone’s home again.
Mandy said: “It seemed a huge shame to me that this f u r n i tu re wou l d j u s t get thrown out or destroyed.
"And I though their must must be something else we could do with it.
"I found out about Andy and I asked if he wanted it – for nothing – so that he could do it up and then hopefully resell it.”
A n dy, wh o h a s r u n h i s c o m p a ny f o r n e a rl y t w o yea r s , p r id e s h i m s e l f o n turning unloved furniture into a unique creation, and was delighted when Mandy got in touch.
He said: “It’s a brilliant arrangement and it also shows
two Sunderland businesses who are really supporting e a c h o t h e r, wh i c h i s n o w
more important than ever. “It’s worked really well. "It’s also helping the envi
ronment by not destroying furniture that we’re able to create something beautiful with.”
A l o n g w i th re pu r p o s - ing old furniture, Andy also takes bespoke commissions from anyone wanting to give an item a new look.
Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland BID, said this was an example of two businesses being able to support each other.
“These are two great companies which are not in competition with each other and have found a really productive way to work together,” said Sharon.
“I t ’s s o m e t h i n g t h a t would be great to see more of.
"And we would definitely encourage other businesses in the city centre to find ways to partnering up for their mutual benefit.”