Derwent House: New store opens on former Wesley-Barrell site

In a twist of fate, the building remained owned by the Barrell family and it is the granddaughter of Wesley-Barrell’s original owner who now runs the new store, alongside two of her former colleagues.

The store’s location in 3 Bridge Street is the former home of sofa manufacturer and retailer, Wesley-Barrell.

The Barrell family sold Wesley-Barrell in 2014 and the business closed in March 2019.

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Mrs Barrell, creative director, said: “We’ve been presented with an opportunity to do something new with the building.

“It’s great to still have it and that it’s remained in the family.

“It’s such a wonderful building and lends itself very well to what we want to do.

“A commitment to British craft and manufacturing underpins the Derwent House philosophy, which is to recognise the skill in the process of creating and making.”

The building was named Derwent House by Mrs Barrell’s grandfather, Thomas Wesley-Barrell, who bought the building in 1934.

The new venture - named Derwent House after the name of the building - is bringing together a collection of British sofas and armchairs, cabinet furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, homewares and upcycled pieces.

Former Wesley-Barrell colleagues Mrs Barrell, Ali Griffiths and Richelle Spooner-Davidson are taking on the challenge of making Derwent House a success.

The trio are hoping to ‘create a home in Oxfordshire for British craft and makers’.

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Mrs Griffiths, marketing director, said: “The building has been owned by the Barrell family since the 1930’s and has been a destination store for quality craftsmanship.

“The store stocks beautifully made and hand-crafted items such as ceramics, lamps and shades, and cushions, mostly of which are locally produced.

“We hope this will appeal to people.

“We are pleased to represent small British businesses and individual makers.

“The concept behind Derwent House is to offer people unique products that have been thoughtfully designed and hand-crafted with a respect for the materials used.

“Me and Richelle were approached nine months ago by Juliette to join together again and since then we’ve been taking time to find quality suppliers and upholsters.”

The trio, who are all local to West Oxfordshire, are looking forward to the challenge of running a business in their 50’s.

“We’re all quite late to be starting our own business together but we are confident that the heritage associated with the building will bring in a lot of customers,” said Mrs Griffiths.

“People are disconnected by stuff they can get readily and hopefully our products will appeal.”

Derwent House provides over 6,000 square feet of showroom space over two floors and underwent extensive refurbishment in 2010, with a new contemporary extension added.

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British makers are carefully selected and invited to the business as partners, either by taking space within the store or participating in ‘Magpie Collection’ showcases, which will be held periodically throughout the year.

The business also represents companies who are passionate about up-cycling furniture to give them a new lease of life.

The Barrell family’ s history of trade in Witney dates back to 1895 when Anthony Barrell established Valentine and Barrell in the Market Square.