Historic family firm from Hayling Island is resurrected by granddaughter of founder

Lara Jameson, who is starting a soft furnishing business to keep the Pullingers name alive on Hayling Island Picture: Paul Jacobs (151623-6)

But Lara Jameson had other ideas.

The determined mum, the granddaughter of the founder of Pullingers Interiors Ned Danby, has resurrected the family business from the ashes.

She plans to juggle motherhood with keeping her family’s legacy alive.

The Hayling-based business closed its doors in March, having been run by the Danby family for eight decades.

It was founded four years before the outbreak of the Second World War.

It gradually grew and at one time there were branches in Petersfield, Bishop’s Waltham, Hamble and Wandsworth, south London.

The bespoke furniture was made on Hayling and became a byword for quality.

But, with no-one able to take it on, owners Nick Danby and Joanna Blunden had to shut up shop.

As a busy mother of three young children, Lara felt she could not commit to the requirements of running a store.

But the 43-year-old has now decided to launch a showroom behind the smaller of the old Pullingers stores in Elm Grove, Hayling Island, where customers can browse through a vast array of fabric books and discuss their individual requirements.

The new Pullingers will operate on a ‘by appointment’ basis and specialise in hand-made curtains, blinds, cushions, wallpaper and other home accessories of the highest quality.

Lara said: ‘For some time I had been trying to figure out how I could keep the family business going without compromising on the needs of my children.

‘I have always adored perusing different fabrics and making curtains for my own home.

‘When the store closed down I decided to keep all the fabric books and came  up with the idea of a personalised service.’

Each year the firm employed trainees from local schools.

Some members of staff joined as trainees and stayed until they reached retirement age.

Mr Danby, Lara’s father, said: ‘I am delighted that Lara has decided to take the Pullingers name and create something new.

‘She has a real eye for detail and am sure will be of great help to people looking to enhance their homes.’