RE TAIL|WESTBRIDGE N GOOD COMPANY
FOR FULL STORIE S AND DAILY NE W S UPDATE S: WWW.C ABINE T-MAKER .C O.UK
aQO
LET’S ALL JUST GET OUR HEADS DOWN
AND GET MAKING AND SELLING GREAT
FURNITURE
ON THE COUCH
WITH
What’s your role at Westbridge?
I am the sales director mainly looking after
our independent retailers
How long have you been going to a
show at the NEC in January?
We are probably still considered “new boys”
as we have only been exhibiting at the NEC
in January since 2010, and always in Hall 1.
Any ‘inside information’ about your
plans for the 2017 show?
Obviously we try and keep our plans a
surprise before the show, but in usual
Westbridge style there is guaranteed to be
plenty of newness!
The January Furniture Show (Birmingham NEC,
January 22-25 2017) plays host to some of the
biggest and best names in the furniture and
Nichola Bell
furnishings industry – showcasing every thing
from cabinet furniture, upholstery and beds to
Sales director at Westbridge
01352 714131
soft furnishings, flooring and giftware.
In this issue, JFS sits Nichola Bell - sales
What’s the best thing about it?
For me, it has to be one of the best
weeks of the working year. The mixture of
anticipation, excitement and often a large
dose of stress is such a thrilling experience.
It’s great to see all of our customers under
one roof, and nothing can beat the buzz of
taking orders when our customers love our
products. Love, love, love it!
d i re c to r a t We s t b r i d g e, o n e o f B r i t a i n’s l e a d i n g
w www.westbridgefurniture.com
upholstery companies – on the couch to discover
her view on the best thing about exhibitions, how
Brexit is affecting the industr y and what shoes
will be on her feet…
22 | 9th December 2016
7.JFS_9thDecember.indd All Pages
When do your first start planning for
the show?
We probably seriously start to get our
heads down in September, but it is never far
from our thoughts any time after July really.
Is Brexit effecting your plans for the
show?
Westbridge, as with many other
manufacturers, has been affected by the
currency fluctuations following Brexit but
we are full steam ahead for the show.
How upbeat are you feeling about
trade and the economy at the
moment?
We are actually feeling quite confident
at the moment - perhaps Brexit will give
British manufacturers an edge over our
foreign competitors. Let’s all just get our
heads down and get making and selling
great furniture.
How do you typically spend your
evenings while at the show?
Now that will usually involve a glass of
something cold and bubbly (especially if we
have had a good result). I’d like to say we all
go out partying but we have usually walked
and talked so much during the day that we
typically enjoy a nice meal, a bit of team
banter and off to bed.
What do you do to recover after it?
A jolly good massage on my next day off!
How many pairs of shoes do you take?
And do smart or comfortable feet
matter most to you during the show?
Is asking a lady how many shoes she owns
on a par with asking her age?! Well, I don’t
count my shoes as I’m sure that’s bad luck
or something. I’d like to say I go for glamour
at the start then end up dreaming about my
slippers by the end!
w www.januaryfurnitureshow.com
9th December 2016 | 23
02/05/2017 15:35