Adam Thompson MP has highlighted the importance of supporting local furniture manufacturers following a visit to Belfield Home & Leisure in Ilkeston. The site, which employs nearly 250 local residents, specialises in producing high-quality furniture and curtains, showcasing our proud, local tradition of bespoke, artisan furniture-making in both Ilkeston and Long Eaton.
During the visit, Adam met with workers – both management and floor-staff – and toured the facility, discussing key issues such as apprenticeships, skills development, and the future of British manufacturing. Adam was keen to highlight the coming benefits of the government’s new Skills England body, along with praising local apprenticeship providers, and encouraging more partnership between local businesses and the community.
Adam first visited Belfield in Ilkeston last summer, but it was great for him to finally see people working hard and doing their jobs on the factory floor. Adam is very keen to boost our local furniture manufacturing, and was recently elected chair of the cross-party MP’s group on the furniture industry.
Quote from Adam Thompson MP:
“Furniture manufacturing is a key part of our industrial heritage here in Erewash, but it is also very much alive. We have to support young people to get good skills and good jobs, fuelling the next generation of artisan furniture-making in Ilkeston and Long Eaton.”
