Bensons for Beds is

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

's largest bed retailer specialising in

bed A bed is an item of furniture that is used as a place to sleep, rest, and relax. Most modern beds consist of a soft, cushioned mattress on a bed frame. The mattress rests either on a solid base, often wood slats, or a sprung base. Many beds ...

mattresses A mattress is a large, usually rectangular pad for supporting a lying person. It is designed to be used as a bed, or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, contain ...

and bedroom furniture.

History

Founded as a general store in 1950 by Cyril Benson, Bensons for Beds opened the first dedicated bed centre in 1972. The company is now based in

Accrington Accrington is a town in the Hyndburn borough of Lancashire, England. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, east of Preston, north of Manchester and is situated on the culverted River Hyndburn. Commonly abbreviated by locals to ...

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

, and operates as a chain of concessions and stand-alone stores. By February 2015, Bensons for Beds' had over 270 stores throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, following a merger with sister company ''Sleepmasters'' in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and, in October 2011 with ''Bed Shed'' in Scotland. In November 2019, Bensons for Beds was acquired from

Steinhoff International Steinhoff International is a multinational holding company that is dual listed in Germany and South Africa. Its holdings are in the retail sector, primarily in furniture and household goods, and include a controlling stake in South Africa's P ...

by UK-based private equity group Alteri Investors, alongside Harveys and upholstery and bedding manufacturer Relyon. On 30 June 2020, Bensons for Beds went into

administration Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative assistant, Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an admini ...

on 30 June, but Alteri immediately bought it back, aiming to save between 150 and 175 of the chain's 242 stores, its

Huntingdon Huntingdon is a market town in the Huntingdonshire district in Cambridgeshire, England. The town was given its town charter by King John in 1205. It was the county town of the historic county of Huntingdonshire. Oliver Cromwell was born there ...

manufacturing operation, and nearly 1,900 jobs.

External links

Bensons for Beds

References

Furniture retailers of the United Kingdom Retail companies of the United Kingdom British companies established in 1950 Retail companies established in 1950 {{UK-retail-company-stub