December is proving to be a very busy month for DV Interiors, our Member of the Month. The company design and make fitted furniture for bedrooms, studies, kitchens and wherever else furniture needs to fit exact dimensions.
We spoke to joint owner, Viv Veal, to ask her about current projects; two in particular with important Christmas deadlines. One fully-fitted kitchen will be ready in time to prepare the Christmas turkey. The other, a combined office and spare bedroom, is being designed to accommodate extra guests.
“We try and make life easier for the client at this busy time. In the kitchen, for example, we take delivery of all the appliances for the client,” says Viv. “With the combined office and spare bedroom, we’re fitting a king size Hideaway bed in a lovely rich hi-gloss chocolate brown cabinet. It’s a great idea to accommodate extra guests at Christmas. Our work is always diverse and we have many satisfied customers happy to welcome other potential customers into their homes to show them the finished result.”
To start off the Christmas season, the company is having a special guest on 6th December. As part of Small Business Saturday, an initiative to support independent businesses, the Mayor of Cheltenham will be visiting the company’s workshop in Leckhampton.
The company’s busy order book this year means they have also recently taken on an apprentice to learn bench joinery and fitting skills. “We have a real age range working at the business now. From our new keen apprentice to George, our expert craftsman, who has been making beautiful furniture for more than 30 years!”
What advice would you give to local businesses?
For a new business, do your research. It’s very important to know what’s out there. Also always be prepared to change.
What has being a member of Best of Cheltenham meant for you and your business?
All the networking has been very useful. Also it’s great knowing that Will and Anne are working for you and promoting your business. I’ve found that the workshops are very useful – particularly the ones on Twitter and other social media.
And where do you think is the ‘Best of Cheltenham’ – your favourite place in the town or area?
I like to go up on the hills and look across the whole of Cheltenham. Somewhere like Leckhampton Hill where you can go and look down onto the whole town and area.
