We are a well established family run business, the business began in 1958 when Peter and Rosemary Olivier opened their shop at the YMCA buildings in Richmond.
Photo circa 1960's
However our story begins before that as pre 1958 Mr Joseph Olivier ran a small antique shop and picture framing business, he was a well known character around the local community using a horse and cart for deliveries - those were the days. Peter and Rosemary sold a combination of new and secondhand goods and held regular Auction sales in the market hall, we even diversified into estate agency and carried out furniture removals, an all round service was provided.
In 1982 Paul Olivier joined the family firm and became the 3rd generation to ply our trade to the local community and beyond. In 1992 we did a major refurbishment of the YMCA premises making a clean, friendly and informative environment for our valued customers. We pride ourselves in the fact that all our staff attend regular training days at our suppliers factories gaining product knowledge at first hand.
More expansion was on the agenda and so premises at Barnard Castle were purchased in 1992, we took our business to the customers of the Dales and beyond. In our Barnard Castle store, which was 3 times larger than our Richmond premises, we were able to offer our customers, more choice, value and commitment to good service, and over the years since then we have refurbished the premises to a high standard and continue to employ staff who are as committed to good services as we are.
Not to be out-done Richmond now needed larger premises and in 2002 we moved from our town centre store to a new showroom on the Gallowfields Trading Estate, where we continue the tradition of improvement and development, in 2003 just nine months after moving to these new premises we doubled the floor space and the huge range of products already on offer grew and grew.
We pride ourselves on the fact that we carry such well known brands as Sherborne, Silentnight, Alstons, Nathan, Old Charm, Vale Upholstery and many more.
Photo circa 1990's
As a family run business we continue to strive to provide what our customers ask for, what we ourselves would ask for if we were the customer, a pleasant , helpful and knowledgeable staff with the ability to see the face behind the name at all times.
Community and Charity Work
Below is some feedback from various community and charity projects we are involved in or have helped out in the past
Help for Heroes
Dear Paul
Thank you for your donation of £872 to Help for Heroes (H4H). We appreciate every penny that comes in and will ensure that it is put to use providing direct, practical support for the men and women who are wounded while in the service of our country.
When Emma and I decided to do 'our bit', we had no idea so many people across the UK would decide to join us and together, create the Help for Heroes phenomenon. We are proud parents of a Soldier and know what it is to have him away fighting. We also know what it like to see his friends injured with their lives changed forever. We cannot prevent these terrible injuries, but by joining together with others in support, we can do something positive and help them on their road to recovery.
Since its launch in October 2007, H4H raised over £100m and funded a variety of projects that are already making a big difference. For example, the £8m Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court; a new £3.5m treatment centre for Combat Stress; Adaptive Adventure Training through the Battle Back programme; and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals within 72 hours of the need being identified.
The next project for H4H, which your donation will go towards, aims to ensure those wounded while in service get the very best support; for life. H4H is working in partnership with the MoD and The Royal British Legion, to deliver the Defence Recovery Capability (DRC) - a comprehensive pathway to help the wounded launch back into the next phase of their lives. H4H committed £100m to the DRC, which not only ensures that those who leave service get jobs, but that they have access to a comprehensive range of support whatever their needs.
Our work is by no means over. There is a great deal to do, but your contribution will make a great difference to the lives of some very special people. On behalf of all of us at H4H and all those who we will help, thank you.
Many thanks for your fund raising efforts, it's very much appreciated.
With thanks
Bryn Parry OBE
Emma Parry OBE
Richmond Support Group - St Teresa's Hospice
Dear Mr Olivier
Your continued and generous support and encouragement is much appreciated, as demonstrated by the £100 sponsor cheque for the Muker Silver Band.
So many thanks.
Yours sincerely
Mary Larch
Dear Paul
We would like to to thank you for supporting Richmond Online, the Richmond community web site. Your sponsorship and support of the Events Diary enables us to provide the community of Richmond with a free to use and up-to-date events/what's on calendar.
As you will be aware Richmond Online is a not-for-profit organisation, and relies on the support of businesses in the town to keep it going, therefore, we are extremely grateful for your help over the past year.
Many thanks
Andrew Russell & Carolyn Grant (Richmond Online)
Dear Mr. Olivier
Thank you for letting me work for you for the past two weeks and making the time fun. I have learnt many things such as how to make flat packs and how to price things up.
Thank you Hubert for helping me when I was stuck and Mark for making me feel at home. And the rest of the staff for making it fun.
I enjoyed it a lot and thank you again for the support.
Yours sincerely
Tom Sutton - Richmond School