Explore Our Beds at Par Showroom, above the Foundry
A Cornish bed manufacturer is unveiling a range of its handmade beds in a new showroom near St Austell.
The Cornish Bed Company hand casts iron, brass and nickel beds at its foundry in Par. It’s one of the last foundries in the country still using Victorian casting techniques.
Each bed frame is hand poured using traditional gravhand-poured and then individually numbered, creating a bespoke product for every customer.
The Cornish Bed Company has recently put the finishing touches to a new £25,000 showroom at Par, housing a range of stock, including a four poster bed, a day bed and hand cast dog bed. They’ve each been finished with a range of natural and organic mattresses, produced by the company’s sister firm Naturalmat at its base in Topsham, Devon.
The showroom also boasts a new viewing platform, giving customers a bird’s eye view of the foundry.
Peter Tindall, who co-owns both businesses, said: “When we took over the foundry, we discovered a load of wasted space on the second floor which had been crammed full of rubbish.
“Once we’d cleared it out, we saw its potential and realised it would make a brilliant setting to showcase our fantastic products. The great thing about the showroom is that it’s right above the foundry, so you get a clear view of the beds being made from start to finish.”
Customers are encouraged to take their time sampling the beds, ensuring they make the right choice for them. Each frame is made to order and can be bespoke to customers’ needs.
Barry Riddle, who’s worked at the foundry for 25 years, will be giving tours around the workshop to see the traditional manufacturing process in action.
Garry Smith, senior manager at The Cornish Bed Company said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers to the new showroom to view our unique process. The company is passionate about keeping British manufacturing alive.
“Our ornate frames are unique in both design and craftsmanship. Their excellent quality and durability ensure that they will last for generations.”
The foundry is located in Par’s old railway roundhouse. Built in the late 1800s to service locomotive engines, the original railway turntable remains outside the red brick building.