Firm started decade ago by teens now thriving

Two business partners who started a furniture company when they were "incredibly competitive" 17-year-olds say they are hoping to expand again.

Wiltshire-based Furniturebox was founded by Dan Beckles and Monty George ten years ago after they met at school.

Two years ago they invested £3m to move into a new warehouse in Chippenham near the M4, and said sales went up 20% the following year. With a workforce of about 80, the company operates online selling sofas, dining tables and more.

Mr Beckles said they now want to "employ more and more local people".

Mr Beckles, who is now 27, told the BBC he and his friend had both been "incredibly competitive" at school.

"We wanted to win. We worked really well together. He was a goalkeeper, I was a centre back.

"We had that relationship on the sporting field where we trusted each other. We were in the same classes. We both had a mindset and an interest in business," he said.

It started off in a business centre in Mere, south Wiltshire, but they decided to make the £3m investment into the new 8.8-hectare (22-acre) headquarters in Chippenham.

Mr Beckles said they are "excited with what the future holds" and are "hoping over the coming years we can have another unit on site".

"I would love to employ more and more local people. It is our plan. It's an exciting time to build that workforce in Wiltshire," he added.

Asked what he would recommend to other young entrepreneurs, he said it had helped that they trusted each other and started young.

"I think that we just got on with it. Be very hands on early on to try and do as much as you can and really understand your business and your industry," Mr Beckles added.

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