TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Tonbridge Business Profile:
NEPTUNE, TONBRIDGE
Tell us a little bit about Neptune…
Neptune was founded by two friends in 1996,
and their first product was a hammock. This
was followed by manufacturing further ranges
of garden furniture, but they soon realised this
was seasonal and not the optimal way to run
a business. Progress really came when they
extended to include a range of painted
furniture, including a five-foot dresser and
stand-alone kitchen island. They then
launched a kitchen to match and the business
grew rapidly from there.
Neptune continues to design and make all of
its own products, including furniture and
kitchen cabinetry. We now have two of our
own factories where products are
manufactured in house by highly skilled
craftsmen. Our philosophy is that beautiful
objects should be made well, and we continue
use traditional techniques, like mortise and
tenon joinery.
How long have you been a franchisee?
When renovating my own house in 2008 I
installed a Neptune kitchen and was so
impressed with the quality and service that I
investigated the business further. I opened an
independant retailer stocking Neptune
kitchens called Garden House Collections on
Tonbridge High Street around six years ago.
We very quickly outgrew those premises as
Neptune increased its range, and we moved
into our current 6,500 sq ft showroom in April
2014. The business has grown rapidly in the
last few years, and Neptune has become a
favourite of the interior design media, who
share our view that our easy and classic style
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offers remarkable value for heirloom-worthy
pieces of furniture.
There are four kitchens in the Neptune range,
which are all on display in our Tonbridge
showroom. Alongside this we have a vast
range of our classic cabinetry including living
and dining furniture, bathroom washstands,
beds and bedroom furniture and upholstered
pieces. Furniture gives a home a framework,
but accessories are what bring it to life. We
have an entire range of products that will make
your home feel lived in and loved. For example,
our customers are particularly taken by our
bunches of lifelike flowers. So whether you’re
coming in for a kitchen or a single stem,
there is something that will make you smile
every time.
What attracted you to working with Neptune
as a brand?
I had been working in the City and the idea
of working for myself, close to home and my
family and without the commute, was very
appealing. I work very hard, but it is very
rewarding. The team has now expanded to
around 15, with four kitchen designers based
in Tonbridge, a showroom manager, sales
staff and accounts. Last year we opened a
beautiful second showroom in Canterbury,
and have around the same number of staff
working for us there.
So, it’s your anniversary, how are you
celebrating?
We will put away the tea cups and get out the
wine glasses, we will have a selection of nibbles
and bubbles for customers who visit us on the
day. It’s exciting to be celebrating our sixth
year anniversary and a lovely opportunity to
look back at what we have achieved and how
we’ve grown over that time. I think what stands
out is although we have progressed our ranges
and adapted to the changing styles and
markets, we have maintained our traditional
methods of manufacture and techniques
which is something that our customers love.
What’s your favourite collection at the
moment?
Our new spring / summer collection echoes
this feeling of renewal. The inspiration has
come from a celebration of greenery in its
most natural form, looking to classic English
gardens. We have captured this feeling and
brought it into the showroom, we have
greenery and flowers throughout and have
accented this with punches of green velvet. A
particular favourite is a newly designed
outdoor collection for this season, bringing