Woods of Harrogate, one of the town’s oldest businesses, had a celebration today to mark its 127th anniversary.
Since the company was set up in 1895, it has expanded into Woods Fine Linens and William Woods Interior Design.
The family business began with William Ernest Woods, who opened the first linen shop after watching his father, George Woods, weave linen at the local flax mill in Knaresborough.
Since then it has been managed by multiple members of the Woods family. William Woods, grandson of the founder, currently runs the venture alongside his daughter and son-in-law.
The shop has been on Prince Albert Row since 1927
The shop, which describes itself as one of the finest linen shops in Europe, has supplied the royal family since 1923.
William Woods said:
“The quality that we have and the range makes us the finest. You can have over 100 different bed linen colours made to order in in three weeks and not many shops can do that.”
Inside is a vast array of goods from around the world including a selection of showrooms arranged by interior design director Sarah Woods.
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Some of the old traditions remain intact. For example, the building on Prince Albert Row has workshops where all furnishings and designs are produced in-house and purchases are still wrapped in brown paper and string.
The building itself hosts the oldest lift and exterior clock in Harrogate. The clock was installed on the building when Woods moved from Princes Square in 1927.
These days Woods has an online presence, allowing customers worldwide to purchase traditional and modern styles.
The company employs 16 staff and plans to keep the family’s history and reputation at its centre.
