Family-run furniture store Lukehurst is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a host of new plans to take the business forward - including a major expansion to one of its outlets.

The furnishers first opened in October 1970 in Rainham - spearheaded by original owner Gerald Lukehurst.

Today, now with additional stores in Rainham and Sittingbourne and a successful online operation, is is run by his son Martin and granddaughter Kathryn.

Martin Lukehurst said: “I’m incredibly proud our independent family business is still going from strength to strength 50 years after we first started trading.

“I was delighted when my daughter Kathryn joined the business and we are determined to work together to continue improving, ready of the next generation.

"We are developing an enhanced website to make it easier for customers to shop online, and we are planning to install a new mezzanine in our Sittingbourne store next year, which will give an additional 8,000 sq ft of floor space for product displays, bringing the total to 20,000 sq ft. This was originally meant to happen earlier this year, however, due to Covid, the development has been pushed back.”

Gerald Lukehurst was 53 when he founded the business after 25 years' experience as the manager of a furniture store in Sittingbourne.

From humble beginnings with just one member of staff, he built the firm into a well-known local brand.

Martin Lukehurst joined his father at the age of 22, two years after the store opened, and Kathryn joined the team in 2014.

Lukehurst now has its flagship store in Rainham High Street along with a large store on Eurolink Way, Sittingbourne, and the Chapel in Rainham which specialises in flooring, curtains, and soft furnishings.

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