From 11-13th May, the Long Eaton Guild of Furniture Manufacturers will again host Long Point, a biannual furniture exhibition based in and around Long Eaton, across a network of 15 showroom locations.
The spring event will see over 30 leading and emerging brands unveil a wide spectrum of designs, offering trade buyers a unique opportunity to discover new collections and experience some of the best in British furniture manufacture first hand.
With a history spanning over 50 years, Long Point has established itself as a cornerstone of the UK furniture calendar, valued for its welcoming atmosphere and its ability to adapt alongside the industry it represents, showcasing some of the highest-quality products of any UK exhibition.
“Today, that legacy is less about looking back and more about moving forward – supporting British manufacturing, encouraging innovation, and creating a platform where businesses of all sizes can thrive,” says the guild’s chairman, Anderew Mitchell.
The vast majority of showroom locations remain in or close to Long Eaton, while Duresta, Parker Knoll and G Plan will exhibit at Sofa Brands International’s HQ, just a 25-minute drive away in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Beyond a single destination
While Harrington Mills and Leopold Street act as key hubs during the event, visitors are encouraged to explore the event beyond any single venue. Within a short distance, a wider network of showrooms – including Artistic Upholstery, Iain James Furniture and Gascoigne Designs, along with show newcomers Wallace & Howe, Covercraft, Paulus & Brown, Bradbery and Cooke, and John Sankey – can be easily accessed, alongside those of Hartmann, Ashwood Designs and Meridian Upholstery, offering further opportunities to discover both established names and specialist makers.
“This dispersed format is part of what makes Long Point unique, rewarding those who take the time to experience the event in full,” Andrew explains.
The relaxed, welcoming event retains its distinctive format – a series of open showrooms, many housed in historic mill buildings, creating a self-guided experience that continues to set Long Point apart from less intimate exhibition venues.
Where craftsmanship meets community
The strength of the event lies not only in the products on display, but in the people behind them. Many of the Long Eaton Guild members represent family-run businesses that have supported one another, and the wider industry, over several generations.
“While larger, less economical exhibitions may struggle to connect buyers and suppliers, Long Point demonstrates it is more than just a showcase of talent,” says Andrew, “playing a vital role in connecting manufacturers, retailers, designers and specifiers in an environment designed for long-term partnerships, with Long Eaton at the very heart of it.”
A warm welcome
Spring Long Point will cater for furniture retailers and buying teams, interior designers and specifiers, contract and hospitality buyers, and other industry professionals seeking British-made furniture.
“Whether you’re sourcing new collections, strengthening supplier relationships or looking for inspiration ahead of the season, Long Point provides a focused and welcoming environment to do so,” Andrew concludes.
The full list of exhibitors and showroom locations can be found online at bit.ly/48YHCke. Attendance is free of charge, but registration is essential. Read on to discover some of the highlights of this month’s edition.
Autumn Long Point will take place from 14-16th September, and the full list of exhibitors and showroom locations can be found here. Find out more in our dedicated Long Eaton supplement.
Pictured: Vala, Hartmann (exhibiting at its permanent showroom in Wade Business Centre, Wellington Street)
