Sussex Beds will mark their 40th year in business on Saturday, 11 December!

Their founders John and Sandra Pickering opened the first store in 1981 called Hastings Bed Centre, after being inspired by a trade show that specialised in Beds and Mattresses.

Between 1986 and 1995 a new store opened, the name changed to ‘Sussex Bed Centre’ and the four current directors of Sussex Beds all joined the business as teenagers.

As more stores started to open, by 2011 they had six stores all over Sussex and by 2014 John and Sandra had taken a well-earned retirement which left the company in the capable hands of Steve, John, Matthew & Suzanne.

2015 was the year of the rebrand where the company changed its name to Sussex Beds. They also went on to be awarded for ‘Best Retailer’ by the Business Excellence Forum and Awards and by 2016 Sussex Beds had won ‘Bed Retailer of the Year’ at the NBF Industry Awards.

Between 2017 and 2021, they had opened six stores, 11 family members were working for the business, they won the ‘NBF Retail Champion of the Year’ Award and had survived two lockdowns.

Sussex Beds CEO Steve Pickering said, "We were ecstatic when we reopened all our stores in April 2021 and to make it to 40 Years in business is a huge achievement.

"I am proud of the entire Sussex Beds team who have helped us achieve this huge milestone. Statistics have shown that only 30% of businesses survive 10 years and we have made it to 40!"

Over the month of December, Sussex Beds will be posting all kinds of ‘blasts from the past’ on social media including old photos from the stores, logos and their directors!

You can expect interviews from their longest employees and videos all about Sussex Beds. Also throughout 2022, each shop and the office will be taking it in turns to take on a charity fundraising event!

Check out all their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates!