After 25 years of doing business there, sofa and reclaimed teak furniture retailer Raft is closing its showroom on Cricklewood Broadway and redirecting its focus to its Westfield flagship and satellite stores, making way for the Cricklewood Broadway redevelopment.
Mick Quinn and Heinz Frye opened the showroom in 1999. Mick says: “You wouldn’t recognise Raft if you saw it back then! Picture this – we were selling everything, from furniture to leather Gladstone bags!”
“It looked like a jumble sale,” jokes Siobhan, Mick’s wife and Raft’s head of brand.
Over the past 25 years, Raft has evolved from a local haven for unique home furnishings to a destination for high-quality, handmade sofas and reclaimed teak furniture. With a sofa factory in Wembley and reclaimed teak factory and solar-powered kiln in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Raft is a pioneer in the sustainable furniture world.
When asked about the biggest change he has seen in the furniture industry in the past 25 years, Mick responds that he has seen a positive change in how thoughtful the public have become, "prioritising locally made, high-quality furniture" – yet has also noted that with this growth in awareness, companies have become more savvy.
“The mass import of cheap Chinese products that now look like they are legitimate is exacerbating," he explains. "At first glance it can be hard to tell real wood apart from veneers. It’s much more difficult now for the public to look at something and know that it’s low quality. The tactic seems to be shouting about where the product was designed and skipping over where and how it’s been made.”
The Cricklewood showroom being so close to the Wembley sofa factory has made Raft's brand particularly strong for local customers, says Heinz: “It’s so fantastic to have worked with so many of the same customers from the very beginning, and that’s what this showroom represents. Our kids grew up here and our customers have lived this journey with us.”
The store saw the introduction of an outlet centre on its top floor in November 2023.
"The closing down of Cricklewood is a relocation that marks a shift in strategy for Raft, redirecting focus towards its shiny flagship store in Westfield London and satellite stores in Richmond and St Albans," the business states. "It also creates an opportunity for redevelopment on Cricklewood Broadway, an area close to the heart of co-owner Mick Quinn, who grew up in Neasden.
"Now known for its flagship’s presence in Westfield London, Raft is officially the biggest British manufacturer and retailer in any Westfield worldwide. A specialist in reclaimed teak furniture, Raft exhibits a range of authentic, sustainable teak furniture, handcrafted by artisans in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Alongside this, Raft’s handmade sofa service continues to thrive as a timeless collection, customisable for every access concern and style of home."
When asked what is next for Raft, Mick explains that the brand is ever-evolving: “We’re broadening our interior design offering. Timeless furniture and heirlooms will always be central to Raft but the lifestyle and overall look is something we’re also excited to be sharing through bigger projects.”
