A.Watts & Sons Ltd. is one of the leading Independent Family Furniture Businesses in the heart of Northampton. From humble beginnings Watts have become an integral part of Northampton with strong connections with the Town Centre Management, the Methodist Church as well as many members of the Watts/Harland families taking on leading roles within the community.

It began in 1896 when Arthur Watts and his wife Hannah decided to open their own business at 132 Adnitt Road, the signage implied that the merchandise was Domestic Machinery however there was a lot more including Bedsteads, Pianos and Prams. The business began to grow and it was only a year later that larger premises were needed, so they opened up at 165a Kettering Road, which has until recent times been occupied by Sandersons. At that time Kettering Road was considered as one of the main shopping streets of Northampton, and so when new larger premises were needed they opened at 80-82 Kettering Road (1901).

Arthur and Hannah had four sons, two of whom, Fred and Ewart, joined the family business in the early 1900's, the other two went into different professions, Stanley as a dentist and Gilbert as a Methodist Minister. It was in 1887 that the Queen's Road Methodist Church on Kettering Road opened and from the early years Arthur and his family were part of the congregation, the family's Methodist faith has remained throughout the four generations, with family members playing key roles in the Church's community. Today, the present Managing Director Roy Harland, the great grandson of the founder Arthur Watts, has an active role within the Methodist Church.

Through World War I and the subsequent years, the business continued to grow and expand with branches opening in Wolverton, Wellingborough, Kettering as well as many others sites in Northampton. Over the years, the two main branches became The White House on Abington Street from which we still trade today and Gold Street in Kettering. These were run by Fred and Ewart. As well as the continued support for the Methodist Church the family also have played leading roles within the community including Fred who took on the role of Mayor of Northampton in 1945.

Fred had four children, only one of whom was to follow him into the business, this was Francis who took over the Kettering side of the business when his father retired. Due to major changes in the development of Kettering over the years the business in Kettering was not so prosperous and although two grandsons of Ewart, Graham and Alan, tried to help out, it was decided to close the Kettering connection in 1984 when Francis Watts retired.

Ewart had three children, Joyce, Eileen and Aubrey although Aubrey and subsequently his son as well as Eileen's son all joined the business in some capacity, it was through Ewart's daughter Joyce that the business would continue to the present day. In 1931 Kenneth Harland, also a Methodist,  joined the company and just before World War 2 he married Joyce and over time became a key figure within the company as well as the community - he was on various committees as well as serving as a Justice of the Peace. It was in 1954 that Kenneth's father-in-law Ewart retired and appointed him as Managing Director. Joyce and Kenneth had two sons Roy and Alan, who presently along with Roy's wife Patricia, are the Directors of the company.

Many independent retailers have fallen by the way side over the years due to economic pressure, especially from chain stores and out of town sites. Yet A.Watts and Sons, over 100 years since its beginnings, continues to trade in its Abington Street store as well as their New Pine and Secondhand store at 231 Birchfield Road East. Watts the Furnishers prides itself on its customer service and offering quality branded furniture at the best cash prices, looked after by a very experienced group of staff - many of whom have been with Watts for over 30 years. The present day General Manager, Mr. V. A. Nicholls, who has served the company for 49 years, retires this October. It is this level of experience and attention to its customers that lets Watts, an independent retailer survive against the big boys.

Watts, however, is ready for the 21st Century and can be found on the Internet under www.watts-furnishers.co.uk and can be contacted by E-mail at sales@watts-furnishers.co.uk.