Cousins Furniture stores celebrated their 36th anniversary this year, since first opening the doors to their first showroom in Tyseley, Birmingham on August 17th 1985. They opened their second store in Dudley in 1996, bringing the town to a standstill with the crowds they drew as Jack and Vera from Coronation Street cut the ribbon.

The company was founded by brothers Robert and Edward Shotton along with their cousin, William, which inspired the company name.

It’s an extra special year, as this also marks 100 years since the origins of the local family business. Their grandfather, Bill Cole, started his business ‘Coles’ in Bilston, Wolverhampton, as a reclamation merchant.

Worcester News: Jack and Vera from Coronation Street opening the Dudley store in 1996 with Rose ShottonJack and Vera from Coronation Street opening the Dudley store in 1996 with Rose Shotton

Cousins is run everyday by family members who manage the company and buy all of the collections that are on display. Cousins pride themselves on offering the very best choice, quality, and value for money to the West Midlands.

Even through the challenges of 2020, the company saw the exciting expansion of their business into Shropshire and Staffordshire, opening former Alan Ward stores in Shrewsbury and Newcastle-under-Lyme. Cousins also fulfilled the 1,000 outstanding orders customers previously held with Alan Ward before they had gone into liquidation.

Worcester News: Robert, Edward, and John Shotton acquiring Alan Ward Robert, Edward, and John Shotton acquiring Alan Ward

This acquisition firmly established them as the Midlands’ largest independent furniture retailer, and with large distribution centres in Oldbury and Shrewsbury they deliver right across the Midlands and into Wales. The company buys many of their best sellers in advance, meaning that vast quantities of living, dining, and bedroom furniture are in stock and available for quick delivery into your home.

The company employs well over one hundred local people, some of whom joined the business when it first started.

Each store is easily accessible by road and close to public transport links, with expansive free parking and easy mobility access.

Worcester News: Cousins Bespoke display in Dudley Cousins Bespoke display in Dudley

Cousins have everything you need to furnish and accessorise every room of your home in a style you’ll love. Cousins have a huge choice of quality sofas, chairs, beds, dining, bedroom and occasional furniture, outdoor and garden furniture, plus accessories. Their flooring departments showcase an endless selection of carpets, rugs, wood and laminate floors to cater for any style of home.

Cousins sources furniture from all around the world, as well as working with many local suppliers, including leading brand names such as G Plan, Parker Knoll, Ercol, Stressless, Harrison, and Hypnos.

They believe that customers should be inspired and always look to enhance their destination showrooms. Each range is carefully displayed in inspirational room settings, and there is a new lifestyle concept in their Shrewsbury showroom with stylish new accessories departments, an impressive restaurant, and brand galleries. Each store also features a Bespoke Furniture Studio where customers can customise their sofas or chairs to their own made-to-measure sizes to perfectly fit their living space and to their optimal comfort levels.