A FAMOUS store beside the A59 at Green Hammerton has re-opened after a £250,000 refurbishment.

Geoffrey Benson & Son is a supplier of tailor-made classic English furniture, and occupies the striking building midway between York and Harrogate.

Martin Benson, owner and managing director, said that apart from their move to Green Hammerton from Low Petergate in the centre of York in 1991, it is the most significant development in their 81 year-old history.

“We had a hugely successful sale of our existing stock in August, which has cleared the way for a brand-new selection of classic hand-crafted interior products," he said, "These include sofas, chairs, handmade oak furniture, lights and mirrors."

His father - Geoffrey Merryweather Benson - founded the company in 1933 and Martin grew up “on the upholsterers’ bench”.

He said: “Furniture-making is in my blood. I started working for my father when I left school as a young teenager and I have never looked back. Our life was our shop in Petergate, where we built up a loyal and discerning clientele. It was a wrench when we had to move, but the pedestrianisation of Deangate made it impossible for us to stay.

“Luckily, I saw the old Hammerton Hotel in Green Hammerton – built in 1926 - was for sale and, attracted by its location, spacious rooms and striking design, I bought it in 1992. Within a year, we had won a prestigious design award from Harrogate District Council.”

Mr Benson and his team, including designer Nicola Thompson, believes that personal service and attention to quality, has underpinned their success.

Working with other family businesses such as upholsterers and cabinet makers they can create tailor made products for individual customers.

"If customers want an item of furniture deeper, wider or in a different colour, we can oblige,” he said. “We make anything they want.”

The business also works closely with interior designer Helen Wilson who is based in the same building. She said: “The synergy between our two businesses is perfect. Our customers can select from a wide range of fabrics, paint, wallpapers and soft furnishings, featuring household names such as Sanderson, Colefax and Fowler and Zoffany.

“We can provide anything from a few rolls of wallpaper to the full interior design package, depending on the needs and requirements of the customer.”