A beloved Southport furniture store that has been trading since 1932 is now expanding to take over three units on the same street. Molloys Furnishers, run by brothers Chris, 46, and Pete, 44, along with their younger brother Stuart, 36, has recently completed a major refurbishment of its showroom at 6 St James Street and is now expanding its sister business, Recline by Molloys, into a third neighbouring unit.
A Family Legacy Since 1932
Originally established in the seaside town by Jenny Molloy, the business later expanded into Lytham, building a loyal customer base that now stretches across several generations. The brothers took over the business in October 2024 from their dad Tony and uncle Stephen, who spent more than 50 years at the helm.
Chris joined the family business at the age of 16 and has been involved ever since. The former pupil of the now-defunct Kingswood School originally went to KGV college but on the weekend and after his education would find himself helping out at the store and so decided to fully invest.
The Secret to Longevity
The dad-of-two told the ECHO: "We're very proud that the business has been going for so long. For both me and Pete, it's a way of life because we've been involved since we were young lads. It's special to be able to continue that family legacy."
He added: "The personal touch is what has kept us going for so long. We've always been very hands-on as a family business. Even now, me and Pete will often do deliveries ourselves, and when customers come in to the shop they'll usually see one of us. If they speak to a member of staff, they've all been personally trained by us. That level of service is really what has kept the business successful for so many years."
Evolution and Expansion
The company offers furniture for every room in the home, from dining tables and chairs to beds, wardrobes and living room furniture. The business has evolved significantly over the decades while retaining the values that helped build its reputation.
Chris said: "We used to sell quite a lot of second-hand furniture, but now everything we sell is new. We focus heavily on British-made furniture, including suites and recliners. Some people from the older generation still think of us as a second-hand furniture store, but that's no longer the case. We've modernised both the shop and our product range while keeping the service and quality we're known for. What we offer is something you don't find very often these days."
Alongside Molloys Furnishers, the family also operates Recline by Molloys, a specialist recliner showroom located next door. This sister business is now expanding into a third neighbouring unit on the same street. As part of the firm's ongoing investment programme, Molloys has completely refurbished the front of its Southport store and refreshed the interior over the past two years.
Chris added: "We describe ourselves as family furnishers because we cater for everyone, from younger customers looking for modern furniture through to older customers looking for recliners and rise-and-recline chairs. We've rebranded our recliner business and we're currently expanding into the corner of the street. That will give us three units on the same street. In the future, we'd like to explore opening more specialist recliner stores in other locations."
Asked whether a fifth generation of the family could one day take over the business, Chris smiled: "Both me and Pete have two children, but they're still at school at the moment. Who knows what the future will bring?"
