AN HISTORIC furniture maker is seeing renewed interest in its products from UK buyers because of a slump in the strength of the pound.

HJ Berry has been manufacturing chairs and furniture in Chipping since 1840 and bosses claim the current weakness of sterling has led to an increase in inquiries for its solid wood range.

John Woodruffe, managing director of HJ Berry, said that British-based designers and buyers, who traditionally source furniture from Europe, were facing a 30 per cent price hike because of exchange rates.

He said: “We’ve spoken to buyers who traditionally look to Europe and now we seem to be making some ground in promoting our products as an alternative.

“HJ Berry has always been competitive on price, but that fact is much easier to communicate now in this current economic climate.”

The problem for firms who have traditionally sourced their goods from outside the UK is that the cost of importing has risen as the pound’s value has fallen.

Back in December, the Lancashire Telegraph reported how Ed Murphy, international trade and training director at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said the next 12 months would provide a “golden opportunity” for UK companies looking to export.

Mr Murphy said firms outside the UK would find goods from this country a more attractive proposition because of the disapp-earance of a prohibitively high exchange rate.

But the recent flux seems to have had the reverse effect for HJ Berry which is seeing domestic sales surge.

Mr Woodruffe added: “Our business formula proves a company can do well in the modern world and stand out from the crowd because of its commitment to the planet and its people.”

Part of its factory is based within a mill once used by a pioneer of the industrial revolution, Sir Richard Arkwright.

The site still retains a waterwheel.