MP hosts round table with the Business Minister and Erewash upholstery representatives

Maggie Throup OBE, Member of Parliament for Erewash has successfully facilitated a crucial roundtable discussion with the Minister of State for Enterprise, Markets & Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake MP, alongside industry leaders representing upholstery and furniture manufacturers from Long Eaton. The focus of the discussion was the impending Smarter Regulation: Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture.

Erewash is home to a diverse mix of small and medium sized upholstery manufacturers that supply directly to retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. However, many within the sector are concerned about the practical implications of the new fire safety regulations set to be implemented on 1st October 2024.  

Recognising the significance of these concerns, Maggie took proactive steps to engage with the Business Minister, advocating for a visit to Erewash to meet with key industry figures and discuss the regulatory changes. On 9th May, Maggie facilitated a roundtable between the Business Minister and representatives from Erewash’s upholstery industry at Artistic Upholstery, Long Eaton.

Maggie said: “Long Eaton is internationally recognised as the UK Centre of Excellence for Upholstery Manufacturing and is worth over £300 million per annum to our local economy. I would like to thank the Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake MP, for meeting industry leaders in Erewash’s world-renowned upholstery sector to discuss the Government’s new fire regulations. 

“I am pleased that positive discussions were held between the Government and representatives from the industry about how we can further reduce the amount of fire-retardant chemicals within the manufacturing process.

“It was a successful roundtable and the Business Minister’s visit to Long Eaton underlines the Government’s commitment to supporting our bespoke manufacturing sector.”

Representatives from a range of upholstery businesses were invited to the roundtable. The Business Minister also had the opportunity to tour one of Long Eaton’s famous upholstery businesses, Artistic Upholstery.