Lavinia Watts and Oliver Greenfield, third-generation leaders at independent furniture retailer Lenleys Home, reflects on a rich history as the company continues its 90th anniversary celebrations.
The official anniversary date was earlier this year on 14 February 2026. Fast forward to 26 June, Lenleys celebrated in style at its Canterbury showroom with an evening centred on design, craftsmanship and community. The event brought together leading brands alongside local makers, with live demonstrations from Vispring, Duresta and JAB Anstoetz, plus a curated makers’ market, food, drinks and entertainment.
Lenleys will now shift the focus to an anniversary summer sale, complemented by monthly prize draws running throughout the remainder of the year to keep the celebrations going.
Taking a step back, Lavinia shared an insight into the company’s history over nine decades, where the business was originally founded in 1936 by school friends Leonard Watts and Stanley Adsett. “We began as a soft furnishings shop before rapidly expanding to five stores across the city, covering furniture, flooring, beds and homewares.
“In 1983, the business was consolidated into a single out-of-town site, rebuilt and strengthened following a devastating fire shortly after opening, which remains the Canterbury flagship today. The second generation, Jonathan Watts and Jackie Adsett, joined the business as it evolved, with further growth coming in 2007 through the acquisition of a family-run retailer in Maidstone.”
Today, Lenleys remains proudly independent, led by the third generation Lavinia Watts and Oliver Greenfield, grandchildren of its original founder Leonard Watts. With a background in fashion buying across both luxury and high street retail, Lavinia is helping to shape a more contemporary, experience-led approach.
“Across nine decades, there have been many defining moments, from trading through wartime to expanding into Maidstone, the founders’ hometown. Marking a real full-circle moment for the business,” Lavinia said.
“More recently, Covid stands out as a pivotal period. It tested resilience but also reinforced the importance of continued investment; during closure, we implemented a new internal system that put us in a far stronger position when we reopened. The rebrand of our Maidstone store to Lenleys Home is another key milestone, one that continues to offer significant opportunity for future growth.”
Over the past 12 months, Oliver said that trading has been “resilient”, with the year finishing “ahead of target, an encouraging performance given continued cost pressures, cautious consumer spending and wider economic uncertainty.
“A standout moment came with our Lynch sale in September, which delivered exceptional results and helped underpin the year’s overall performance, demonstrating that well-targeted events and strong customer engagement continue to drive growth even in challenging conditions.”
Oliver added that AI is a growing influence, particularly in areas such as stock management and visualisation tools, which can help to enhance both efficiency and the overall buying experience, while the business is seeing more a continued move towards considered, long-term purchasing.
“Customers are investing in quality, comfort and craftsmanship, with upholstery, beds and flooring chosen not just for aesthetics but for durability and wellbeing. There’s also a clear shift towards softer, warmer palettes, natural materials and a more layered, lived-in look, reflecting a desire for homes that feel both functional and restorative.”
Together, Lavinia and Oliver are focused on balancing heritage with modern retail expectations, aligning with wider industry shifts toward showroom experience, curated product ranges and a design-led service. Before sharing what plans are in place moving forward, Lavinia reflected on what it means to achieve such an historic milestone.
“Reaching 90 years is something I feel incredibly proud of, both personally and professionally. There are moments when I still pause, walking through the doors, and reflect on what my grandfather would think if he could see the business today. How it has evolved, but also how much of its original spirit remains. That sense of legacy brings a real responsibility, as well as pride.
“I think the key to our longevity has been a combination of consistency and willingness to adapt. We’ve always had a strong, dedicated team at the heart of the business, many of whom have been with us for years and share a genuine commitment to what we do. Alongside that, we’ve never been afraid to reinvest, whether that’s in new technology, bringing in fresh talent, or continually refining our product offer.
“Crucially, it’s about not standing still. Even as a long-established family business, we’ve had to keep looking forward, evolving with our customers while staying true to the values the business was built on. That balance has been fundamental to reaching this milestone and to ensuring we continue to grow beyond it.”
Looking ahead, Lenleys will continue to enjoy its anniversary moment, but is also planning for the future too. “We’re exploring the launch of a storage offering from our distribution centre, creating a natural extension to our core furniture business,” Lavinia revealed. “It provides a clear synergy with the current business whilst also meeting customer demand for whole-home solutions.
“Alongside this, our focus remains firmly on elevating the in-store experience while continuing to invest in our digital presence. We’re also placing greater emphasis on brand-building, strengthening recognition through considered marketing, rather than purely promotional messaging, to reflect our long-standing values and position in the market.
“Each generation has evolved the business to reflect how customers shop and live, and that mindset will carry Lenleys forward for the next 90 years.”
