Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design

Established interior design and soft furnishings business (founded 1990)

– Current owner in place since 1997

–  Serving retail and corporate clients across central Scotland

–  Strong reputation for quality, craftsmanship and personal service

–  All soft furnishings produced in‑house by skilled staff

–  Consistent, steady turnover year‑on‑year (details available on request)

–   Attractive town‑centre location in historic Strathaven

–   Freehold shop currently owned by the vendor – new lease to be offered, with potential freehold sale by separate negotiation

–  Clear growth potential via online sales, digital marketing and further market development.

Scottish Business Centre is pleased to bring to the market a well‑established interior design and soft furnishings business, trading successfully from the attractive market town of Strathaven in South Lanarkshire. Founded in 1990 and under the same ownership since 1997, this business has built an excellent reputation for high‑quality, bespoke soft furnishings and a personal, design‑led service to both private and corporate clients across central Scotland. With a loyal customer base, a broad service offering and significant scope to develop online and expand into new markets, this represents a compelling opportunity for an owner‑operator or an allied trade buyer seeking a high‑quality bolt‑on.

Business Overview & History

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design was originally established in 1990 as a specialist interior design and soft furnishings studio. It has traded from its current Strathaven premises since July 1997, when it was acquired by the present owner.

Over more than three decades, Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design has evolved from a traditional curtain and soft furnishings shop into a comprehensive interior design service. Our client has focused on quality materials, bespoke manufacture and attentive customer care, which has resulted in a strong local profile and a high level of repeat and referral business.

The business is recognised for:

•       Professional design advice tailored to each client

•       Bespoke, made‑to‑measure soft furnishings produced in its own workshop

•       Reliable project delivery and attention to detail

This foundation provides a solid platform for a new owner to build upon.

Products, Services & Sector

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design operates within the interior design and soft furnishings sector, providing a complete design and supply service for both residential and commercial environments.

Core services include:

•       Interior design consultation – in‑store and in clients’ homes or premises

•       Soft furnishings – made‑to‑measure curtains, blinds, pelmets, cushions and other textile accessories

•       Fabrics and wallcoverings – access to ranges from leading design houses

•       Furniture and lighting – carefully selected ranges to complement the design schemes

•       Project support – from single rooms to full‑property refurbishments

A particular strength of Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design is its home design service. Clients can view fabric collections and wallcoverings in the context of their own rooms, with expert guidance on colour, texture and style. This allows the team to present up‑to‑date design options using an extensive portfolio of suppliers, ensuring schemes are both practical and visually cohesive.

All soft furnishings are produced in the business’s own workroom by experienced staff. This in‑house manufacturing capability:

•       Ensures consistent quality control

•       Enables truly bespoke solutions

•       Reduces reliance on external contractors

•       Supports the business’s reputation for craftsmanship and reliability

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design caters to a wide range of tastes, from contemporary minimalism through to classic traditional interiors, and can support everything from a single window treatment to a full home makeover or commercial fit‑out.

Customer Base & Trading Profile

The business serves a broad mix of customers across central Scotland, including:

•       Homeowners commissioning one‑off projects or full redesigns

•       Repeat private clients upgrading room by room over time

•       Local professionals and business owners

•       Commercial clients such as offices and other corporate spaces

Key points:

•       Approximate customer database of 900 clients, built up over many years

•       No individual client contributes more than 20% of annual income, reducing risk and reliance on major accounts

•       Turnover for the current year is expected to be in line with the previous year, demonstrating stable, repeatable trade

Most work is generated through:

•       Repeat custom from existing clients

•       Word‑of‑mouth recommendations

•       Passing trade and local reputation

There is considerable opportunity to supplement these traditional routes with more structured marketing and a stronger online presence.

Location & Catchment

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design occupies a prominent position in Strathaven, a charming and vibrant historic market town in South Lanarkshire. Strathaven lies approximately 6 miles from Hamilton and East Kilbride, and around 18 miles from Glasgow.

As the largest settlement in Avondale, Strathaven has a rich heritage. It was granted a Royal Charter in

1450 and became a burgh of barony. Today, it continues to attract both visitors and residents thanks to: • A substantial and attractive public park, offering activities for all ages and drawing visitors from a wide area

•       A strong mix of independent retailers, cafés and local services

•       A well-established sense of community and local loyalty

•       The Strathaven Card scheme, which encourages shopping locally through discounts and incentives

This blend of tourism, commuter catchment and loyal local custom creates an ideal environment for a design‑led retail and service business. Customers here actively seek distinctive, high‑quality products and a personalised service – perfectly aligned with what Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design provides.

Staff & Day‑to‑Day Operation

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design is currently operated by the owner with a small, experienced team: – Owner – responsible for client consultations (in‑store and home visits), overseeing design work, quoting and pricing, shop presentation, and general administration. – One

part‑time retail assistant – assisting customers in the showroom and supporting day‑to‑day retail operations. – One full‑time seamstress – producing and finishing soft furnishings in the workroom to a high standard.

There is currently no senior staff member in place who could take on full management responsibility in the owner’s absence, so Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design is best suited to a buyer who intends to be actively involved, or to an existing operator who can deploy management resource from within their group.

While Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design benefits from a dedicated and consistent clientele, a new owner has significant opportunities to boost both turnover and profitability. The most promising avenues for expansion lie in enhancing the online presence and embracing e-commerce. This could involve creating a modern, visually appealing website that highlights completed projects, customer testimonials, and product offerings. Implementing an online shop for items like fabrics, cushions, and accessories would extend the customer base beyond the local area. Furthermore, enabling online quote requests, photo uploads for room assessments, and appointment bookings would streamline the customer experience. A systematic social media strategy, utilizing platforms like Instagram and Facebook, could effectively showcase transformations, promote seasonal deals, and share design inspiration, thereby increasing brand recognition throughout central Scotland.

Beyond the digital realm, there’s potential to venture into new markets. Expanding the geographic reach by actively pursuing clients in Hamilton, East Kilbride, Glasgow, and surrounding regions, capitalizing on the business’s accessible location, is a key opportunity. The company could also pursue commercial and contract work, forging connections with offices, professional firms, boutique hotels, guest houses, serviced apartments, and upscale landlords who require cohesive soft furnishings and regular updates. Collaborating with architects, interior designers, property developers, estate agents, and kitchen/bathroom studios presents another avenue, offering soft furnishing solutions as an integral part of larger projects.

Finally, maximizing local opportunities can further drive growth. Targeted local campaigns in Strathaven and nearby towns, including flyer distribution, local press engagement, and sponsoring community events, would be beneficial. Making more comprehensive use of the Strathaven Card discount scheme could encourage repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Additionally, hosting in-store events such as design evenings, fabric launch parties, or workshops would attract both existing and new customers, fostering a vibrant connection with the local community.

Appeal & Ideal Purchaser

This opportunity is likely to appeal to a range of buyers, including:

•       Experienced interior designers or soft furnishings specialists wishing to acquire a well‑established business with an in‑house workroom and loyal clientele.

•       Trade buyers such as existing curtain makers, interior retailers or design studios seeking a strategic foothold in central Scotland or an additional branch in a complementary location.

•       Skilled seamstresses or makers looking to step up from a small workshop or home‑based business into a

fully‑fledged retail and design operation with a proven track record.

•       Lifestyle buyers or couples with an interest in interiors, looking for a creative, relationship‑based business with scope to grow and develop over time.

Emily Ross Furnishings & Interior Design will particularly suit a buyer who:

•       Enjoys client interaction and providing design advice

•       Values quality craftsmanship and attention to detail

•       Is prepared to be hands‑on in the early years

•       Has the energy and vision to invest in marketing and online development

Process and next steps

Viewings and discussions strictly by appointment via Scottish Business Centre. Financials are available to qualified parties upon signing a non‑disclosure agreement. Offers invited for the shares or assets of the business, subject to contract.

To note

The particulars are provided by Scottish Business Centre in good faith on instruction of our clients and are for guidance only. They do not form part of any contract and should not be relied upon as statements of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the information, condition of assets, and obtain appropriate professional, legal and financial advice. Anti‑money laundering regulations apply. To register interest or arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Scottish Business Centre.