Barkers Furnishing Store

A NEW generation from family-owned Northallerton business, Barkers, will perform the turf cutting ceremony to signal the start of a £3million expansion. William, Hannah and Thomas Barker will perform the formalities to get building work underway on the extension of Barkers Furnishing Store in Yafforth Road, where dad Ian is Store Director, on Monday, April 20.

In 1882, at the age of 14, a local farmer's son, William Barker, started his apprenticeship with John Oxendale, who had a small draper's shop in Northallerton.

As William Barker's Career progressed, the shop became known as Oxendale and Barker, and eventually Barkers. Today Barkers comprises the High Street Department Store, a 20,000 sq ft Distribution Centre, and the edge of town Home Furnishing Store. Both Retail stores have 40,000 of sales area and in total over 250 local people are employed.

The Home Furnishing Store, which is one of the largest in the North of England, was purpose built on the edge of town in 1994. It houses a wide choice of high quality upholstery, cabinet furniture, beds, bed linen, flooring, lighting, soft furnishings, pictures and mirrors, as well as the 94 seat first floor Tree View Café serving light meals, and fresh teas and coffees throughout the day.