About us: four generations of quality

The Barrell family and staff in 1898In 1895 Anthony Ernest Barrell a farmers' son, set up in business in the market town of Witney, with his business partner Walter J. Valentine. By 1900 Valentine and Barrell had acquired additional premises on the Market square in Witney which included a drapery and house furnishing business with carpentry and upholstery workshops.

Anthony and Amy had 5 children and with their children's future in mind decided to break with the Valentine family. In 1913, he established the Witney Blanket company, specialising in the famous Witney blankets and in the manufacture of upholstered beds, and mattresses which he sold by mail order.

Anthony's youngest son Thomas Wesley, overcame serious injuries sustained in the First World War, married Merle Baker, had 3 children and went onto join his fathers firm. Following Anthony's retirement in 1933, Thomas Wesley Barrell established his own firm, Wesley-Barrell (Witney) at the present showroom site at 3 Bridge Street, Witney.

The business continued as a mail order business manufacturing beds and bedding and in 1954 Thomas's son, Peter Wesley Barrell joined his father, gaining experience in the bedding workshops and learning all aspects of the business. Of the principal materials used at that time in the Barrell family's manufacturing works, wool flock was used as a by product from the Witney blanket factories whilst pure wool came directly from the Cotswold sheep and beech and other woods were sourced from nearby sawmills.

Peter Wesley Barrell used skills gained in the workshops and an enterprising desire to expand the range to develop a collection of upholstered furniture. In 1959, Peter met and married his French born wife, Francoise Geoffroy.  In 1960, Peter moved the business from Mail Order to retail and opened his first showroom in Witney, realising that people would want to experience furniture for themselves. Together Peter and Francoise have built the Wesley-Barrell company that today has become a byword for excellence in custom made upholstered furniture, with showrooms opening across England.

Since the mid 1980's Peter Barrell has quietly encouraged his 3 daughters, Juliette, Eugenie and Isabel to join the family company, finding areas within the company that would utilize their talents to the fullest extent.