Verco Office Furniture has long been one of our favourite manufacturers. Their furniture is traditionally made to the highest standards of craftsmanship and is made in Britain - we love to support British companies.

We also think that Verco's design stand up proudly against furniture designers from around the world and with their new designs they're going from strength to strength.

We're not the only ones who rate them. Their DNA system desking range is uncomplicated, understated and ultramodern. Designed by Roger Webb Associates for Verco it has been recognised with a Design Guild Mark for excellence in design, use of materials, manufacture and function. It was also the winner of the Office Furniture category in the 2011 FX International Interior Design Awards.

We also like to thank them for their commitment to ergonomic design and to reducing their environmental impact. And because they support one of our key beliefs: stylish design does not have to come at the expense of quality.

Congratulations Verco - we look forward to working with you for the next 100 years!  

If you're looking for a new look for your office, we're happy to help. Give us a call on 0116 251 7741. We'd be delighted to hear from you. 

The FLOW chair is a mesh back task chair which was launched by Verco Office Furniture at the start of April 2013.

The first thing that strikes you is the stunning looking frame of the chair. The frame has smooth, clean lines that swoop round to encompass the arm frame. It gives the chair a simple profile, especially with the frame in white, which shows the chair off to its best advantage. To match the frame, the castor base of the chair is supplied in the same colour as chosen for the frame.

The FLOW features a comfortable, cool mesh back available with black or grey mesh, with an upholstered seat that can be covered in any of your favourite fabrics. The back can be specified as a medium or high back with the option of a headrest on the high back version.

The FLOW is ideal for the organisation that is looking for a comfortable chair that suits a wide range of people as it comes with seat slide as standard for those with long or short legs. The medium or high back would suit office staff with the headrest as an option for the executive office.

If you would like to talk to us about office seating, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email us at mark@lismark.co.uk  

If you want to stand out from the crowd, why not go for bespoke?

If you've got the money you can now specify a bespoke Bentley; paint colour, seat leather, dashboard finish, wheels.. the choice is endless.

If you want to put your own stamp on your office, how about a bespoke chair for your office?

Our VIBE chair has lots of different options. You can choose from:

42 fabric ranges with an average of a dozen colours in each range

11 leather shades

Medium or high back?

Headrest or no headrest?

What shade of wood would you like on the back of the chair?

Black plastic, silver or polished metal base?

No arms, fixed arms or height adjustable arms?

All these contribute to making a chair that stands out from the rest and shows that you really mean business.  

If you would like to talk to us about office seating, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email us at mark@lismark.co.uk  

If you are a fledgling business and you are moving into offices for the first time, it's very important to get the right office furniture to suit your circumstances.

Things to consider:

Does everyone need a dedicated desk? With the rise of mobile working on tablets and smartphones can some of your staff work whilst sitting on a sofa in the breakout area or in a Starbucks down the road? Why have the expense of a desk, chair and pedestal drawers if it is not really necessary?

What about multi-use furniture? We have tilt-top tables on castors that can be used as a meeting table and then moved easily into our offices or warehouse to be used as a desk when the need arises. Our Cube chairs are four legged with castors. They can be easily wheeled from room to room for use in offices, meeting rooms, reception or breakout areas. They also have a tip-up seat so that they can be 'nested' together to take up a tiny amount of space while not in use.

We have to put our hands up now! Our furniture is not the cheapest. It is robust, reliable, cost efficient, long lasting and creates a great impression for your potential staff and visiting clients.  

And as you are starting out we can offer free advice, free help with space planning, free delivery and free installation. Give us a try - what have you got to lose?

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email us at mark@lismark.co.uk  

As budgets get tighter, companies are looking into versatile multi-purpose seating that may be used in different environments for differing purposes. The CUBE chair from Verco is at home at the office desk and at the meeting table.

Available as a swivel chair or a four legged armchair, both are fitted with castors enabling them to be moved from room to room with ease. The four legged version even has a flip up seat to allow the chairs to 'nest' together so that a few may be moved by one person at a time.

The 'active back mechanism' allows the back rest to freely move forwards and backwards, aiding comfort during long working hours. Backs are available as upholstered or smart black plastic. Seats are upholstered in your favourite fabric and the chairs have arms as standard.  

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk   

As with so many Verco designs, the Carlo is practical and robust whilst also being eye-catching and innovative. And it comes in at a very affordable price point. What's not to like?

The stand-out design feature of the Carlo is its flexible nylon back which is superbly comfortable and cooling as well as attractively unusual in style. There's a choice from three stock colours, black grey and white, to suit pretty much any office environment.

The posture seats are very generously upholstered and can come in any colour you prefer to tone with your office environment or to give it a splash of colour. The pronounced waterfall front edge to the seat is something else we love and just the kind of distinctive attention to detail that we've come to know and love from Verco.

The Carlo comes with a choice of arm rests and the standard five year guarantee.

If you'd like to try it out, we can let you borrow a chair for a few days to see if it suits. Give us a call on 0116 251 7741.

Executive furniture:

Executive furniture has gone on a diet! Thinner profiles have seen executive desking slim down to 30mm thickness, giving a slimmer, leaner profile and as a consequence, a lower price point, making it more affordable.  

Along with the slimmer profile, the big glossy look is out! Low sheen veneers are coming in to style in a big way.

General Office:

Bench desking enables more staff per square meter of office floor. The cost per desk is also lower due to desks sharing legs. Desk footprints are also getting smaller due to the shrinking size of technology with thinner monitors, laptops and tablets being used more and more.

White is everywhere: desks, legs, tables and cupboards. Apple has a lot to answer for!

Walnut is also getting more prevalent as some go for the darker, luxurious look. 

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Here are some of the latest trends that we are finding in office seating:

Task chairs:

Mesh backs continue to grow in popularity as people opt for a minimalist look with a pop of fabric colour on the seat of the chair. Mesh will also prove popular during the summer months due to its cooling properties.

White frames - some chairs now have the option of a white frame instead of then standard black. This is due to the increasing popularity of a white finish in all walks of life from cars to electronics.   

Sofas:

Very high backs (over 1.3 metres high) are becoming very popular. This type of sofa is ideal for informal meetings and mobile working due to the added privacy and acoustic properties that the very high back affords.  

Another aid to mobile working is that some sofas are able to be specified with power and data sockets in the armrests.

Meeting chairs:

As well as the mesh back craze carrying over to meeting chairs, we are also seeing an increasing number of chairs with tip-up seats. This enables the chairs to be 'nested, instead of stacked. Less lifting required for your members of staff means less chance of bad backs.

Fabric:

Stain resistant fabric is increasingly popular on breakout furniture where drinks and foods are likely to be spilled. Specifying stain resistant fabric protect your investment in quality furniture and adds years of use after other fabrics are showing signs of wear and tear.

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Just lately we are getting more and more requests for sit-stand desking. This does exactly what it says; it allows you to work in a seated position and then when you fancy a change of posture you can raise the desk so that you can work whilst standing.

There have been a few studies and articles extolling the virtues of alternating between sitting and standing at your desks for short periods. This is traditionally a Scandinavian way of working but is beginning to find favour over here in the UK.

How may we help? Well, our Oblique Adapt electrically height adjustable desk has a height range from 650mm up to 1300mm - high enough for any person in your organisation.  Because it has a n electric height adjustment, it is easy to get it to the right height to suit.

The desk tops, ranging from 800mm to 1800mm wide, are available in oak, beech, maple, walnut, grey and white and as these are all standard finishes, the Oblique Adapt will suite in with other desking we provide. The legs are in white or silver. Delivery is just 4 weeks.

If you would like to find out more about the Oblique Adapt range, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

We have just launched a new range of executive furniture. The Hi-line 30 from Verco Office Furniture of High Wycombe is a stable mate to the popular Corniche range at a lower price point without scrimping on quality.

The Hi-line 30 has a 30mm veneer top, available in oak, maple, natural walnut and cherry, as opposed to the Corniche 40mm bull nosed edge top.

The slim profile gives the Hi-line 30 a modern look allied with the low sheen finish veneer which designers and customers are requesting more and more nowadays.

Two desk shapes, rectangular and bow fronted are available along with complimentary desk return units, pedestals and storage. The Hi-line 30 is designed with the younger executive or head teacher in mind. The very high quality along with a slim profile gives it a modern, authoritative appearance. It is a welcome addition to our executive ranges and I'm sure it will prove very popular with new and old customers alike.

If you would like to find out more about the Hi-line 30 range, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

When people choose chair fabrics they are mainly concerned with the colour. But choosing the correct type of fabric can make a huge difference to the performance and life of the chair.

More and more furniture buyers are spending a little extra per chair and specifying Camira Intervene fabric. The Intervene range consists of 36 different colours that encompass plain, textured, patterned and marl fabrics. So there are colours and finishes to suit every taste.

But Intervene also has the benefit of being a high performance, heavy duty fabric. To look at the fabric you wouldn't know it but Intervene is: 

• fire retardant  
• waterproof
• urine-proof
• stain repellent
• anti-bacterial
• and bleach cleanable  

This high performance fabric helps to keep your chairs looking better for longer. It also comes with a five year guarantee.

So if you're looking for fabric suitable or use in the most demanding areas e.g. breakout areas, waiting rooms, dining rooms, staff cafes, it would be worth taking a look at the Intervene range.

If you would like to request an Intervene fabric swatch card, or to see more of our range of fabrics suitable for seating and divider screens, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk. 

The Siena soft seating from Verco office furniture is a reception/breakout range consisting of an armchair, 2-seater and a 3-seater settee. Based on a classic range of soft seating called the Verona which was aimed at Executive offices, the Siena is more of an all-rounder, suitable for most modern visitor, reception and breakout areas.

The Siena has clean lines, straight edges tempered with gentle curves, and thick, comfortable cushioning. The cushions are non-removable,a clear advantage in areas such as student breakout areas in schools, colleges, academies and universities, especially if upholstered in a stain-resistant fabric such as Camira Fabrics Intervene to resist spills from food and drink.

Price-wise, it's a pleasant surprise. The armchair starts at £366 + vat delivered, the 2-seater settee starts at £431.00 + vat and the 3-seater starts at £524.00, making the range very competitive and worth a look.

If you would like to find out more about the Siena range or any of our Reception/Breakout seating please contact me mark@lismark.co.uk or give me a call on 0116 251 7741.  

Camira Fabrics has just launched range of fabric called Binary. This fabric was designed by Miriam Trent from Leeds Metropolitan University as her entrant into a design challenge held by architectural practice Sheppard Robson. The challenge was to create an original fabric to capture the creative essence of the BBC, as the fabric was going to be used throughout the new BBC North offices at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays, Manchester.

The Binary fabric design is based on a binary theme, made up of zeros and ones in a bold, large pattern.

If you want to follow the BBC and fancy Binary on your office chairs, give us a call on 0116 251 7741. 

The mesh back is supportive and cooling. It will fit to your back for great comfort. The Salt chair has synchronised seat adjustment with the seat moving in a 3:1 ratio with the back. So simple to use without the baffling adjustment knobs that most office chairs have and no one quite knows how to use correctly. 

Its neat one-piece shell is designed with the arms in mind. It comes in white with the colour running through the whole chair through the legs to the castors. We particularly like the styling of the legs, slightly fanned giving the Salt chair an elegance that makes it stand out from a more typical office chair.

The Salt chair is a great way to add some style to your office without breaking the bank.

If you'd like to try it out, we can let you borrow a chair for a few days to see if it suits. Give us a call on 0116 251 7741. 

A new image has emerged of the Brix high back sofa from Verco Office Furniture based in High Wycombe. Up to now the Brix has been a range of low sofas some of which have a slim back rest. Now the Brix has been modified to encompass a very high back surrounding three sides of the chair. This turns it into private, informal meeting seating. Whilst other companies have already brought out this sort of product, Verco seem to have gone that bit further by adding a screen to one side of the sofa. This looks as though it can be attached to the side of two sofas facing each other, adding extra privacy.  

This would be ideal for any organisation short on meeting space. It would work for informal, impromptu meetings which should, in theory, take less time than a full blown meeting, thereby reducing time taken away from desks. Good news all round!!!

More images can be seen on our website and for further details give us a call on 0116 251 7741.  

Images have just been released by Verco Office Furniture of the new Jensen high back sofa. The standard Jensen is a low back retro looking sofa with a button back feature, deep cushions and high armrests. Verco have adapted this to capitalise on the high back sofa trend. This type of sofa is ideal for informal or impromptu meetings and for the age old problem of when all meeting spaces are full. It can also double up as reception furniture and enables quiet chats with visitors or colleagues. One sofa facing another makes a cosy, private, quiet area, for a 10^th of the cost of building and furnishing a meeting room.  

More images can be seen on our website and for further details give us a call on 0116 251 7741.  

The SALT and PEPPER chairs from Verco Office Furniture in High Wycombe are very different looking operator chairs from the normal. They have a strong retro aesthetic. The back shell curves around the chair user to form arms fitted with arm pads. It has a comfortable, contemporary black mesh back and a large substantial seat, which can be upholstered in a seat fabric of your choice. The chair base and castors are in a matching finish to the rest of the chair. The PEPPER has a black shell and the SALT has a white shell.

They are certainly different to the vast amount of black plastic operator chairs that we see everywhere.  

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Not every company needs a huge singing and dancing reception desk. Smaller business's simply need a place for a member of staff to sit, which also looks smart and creates a great first impression when visitors walk in.

We recently installed an office desk into the reception area of a community centre. The only change we made to the desk was to have the modesty panels made larger so that they went from the underside of the desk right down to 50mm from the floor. This was to create a 'clean' look and to fully hide the staff member's legs.Another advantage of using this type of desk is that if the business circumstances change, you can move the desk elsewhere in your building and utilise it as a standard office desk.

We are very pleased with the new furniture for our reception. Reception desk looks good and is admired by users of the Centre including the Board

Another advantage of using this type of desk is that if the business circumstances change, you can move the desk elsewhere in your building and utilise it as a standard office desk. 

If you would like to talk to us about office furniture, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Our marketing guru came in recently and told us that the next big thing to follow in the footsteps of Facebook, Twitter etc. would be Google Plus. When we all stopped laughing, we decided that we had better dip our toes in the Google Plus pond. At the moment, it's a slow burner but there are signs that more and more people are taking the plunge. It's just another way to get ourselves noticed and spread the word that office furniture doesn't have to be boring and it can really make a difference to your working day.  

Is anyone else out there on Google Plus? If you fancy connecting up, the link to our page is here.

Both ranges are modern and good looking, providing a fresh look at soft seating. They are suitable for receptions, breakout areas and informal meeting rooms. There is a choice of 3 base styles: 4 star, wire and round pedestal base. The chairs may also be specified with a walnut outer shell to make them look even more luxurious.

The Spirit and Spirit Lite would complement any organisation. They have a fresh, light look about them, giving a lift to any area that they are placed. They would look great upholstered in a fabric from the Camira Blazer range. There is also a range of glass or wooden top coffee tables to go alongside the chair.

If you would like to learn more about the Spirit and Spirit Lite or any of our soft seating ranges, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

The 'WHY' chair, is a new task chair from Connection Seating, designed by Roger Webb Associates, and launched at Orgatec 2012.

Unusually for a Connection chair, it is supplied unassembled and packed in a box. This allows for 120% more chairs per standard truck load, enabling fewer trucks to be used, therefore reducing CO2.

When you get the chair out of the box, assembly is easy due to the 'Why' chairs unique fast-click assembly, requiring no tools. The chair has a distinctive honeycomb mesh back rest, which looks smart and modern. The seat is available in a wide range of fabric colours and there is the option of adjustable arms and black plastic or polished metal bases.

The chair is manufactured from 67% recycled content and is itself 98% recyclable at the end of its working life. Even the box and packaging are eco-friendly.

My opinion: The WHY is a good looking chair although price wise, it's at the higher of end of what you would expect to pay for a mesh back task chair. Also, you have to assemble the chair, whereas all our other chairs are supplied assembled. If eco-friendly chairs are important to you and your organisation, then the WHY is certainly worth consideration.  

                            Here's a good idea from Era Screens of Hampshire. The Nautilus is a range of free standing acoustically enhanced booths that offer privacy in open plan environments. They are available as:                    Phone booths - suitable for those private calls on your mobile or smartphone

Study/Work booths - with a small work surface in. Suitable for confidential work or for use as hot desking around the office

·        Meeting booth - does as it says - ideal for informal meetings

They are acoustically enhanced so noise from the surrounding area and sound leakage from inside the booth is kept to a minimum. They are available in a mix of any of the Camira Blazer fabric palettes and can include shelving, desking, seating and lighting.

With the rise of mobile working, the phone booth and study/work booths can be sited around the office to provide convenient, informal work spaces. The break out and meeting booths can be a money saver as these can replace a formal meeting room / staff rest area which has to be specially constructed. The booths are multi-purpose and as with this type of furniture, your staff tends to find other excuses to use them as well for other work related purposes.

If you would like further information on acoustic booths, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Pledge Seating has just launched a new training and conference chair range called the LA KENDO.

The La Kendo, designed by Angelo Pinaffo, is a four legged meeting/training/conference chair available in a variety of options. You can choose from:

·        Plastic seat & back or plastic back with upholstered seat

·        Stacking chair or chair with tip-up seat

·        Writing tablet if required on left or right side

·        Black, silver or chrome legs

The options are endless and there is also a choice of plastic colours or a wide range of fabric colours. These are ideal when you want to personalise the chairs to your company brand colours or to a certain room in your operation so that they don't go 'walkabout' in to other areas.  

The La Kendo would suit a training room, conference, or meeting area that has to be adaptable and multi-functional at short notice. With the tip-up seat chair there is no need to lift a chair so the room can be re-configured by a single member of staff without strain. These chair would be an ideal accompaniment to our Tilt-top tables, which are also easily re-configured without lifting.

If you would like further information on this chair or any of our chair ranges, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

Pledge seating has been manufacturing the AIR chair for a couple of years. The Air is a mesh backed operator chair for the cost-conscious buyer.

Now they've given it a mid-life refresh by adding the option of specifying the chair with an upholstered ribbed back. The back has a slim angular profile which the ribbed stitching accentuates. It looks smart and is comfortable and easy to use. It has a generous seat with adjustment for the seat height and back angle. There is a 5 year warranty on this chair and it is manufactured in England. The chair can be upholstered in all of our standard range of fabrics. To keep costs down a fabric from the Bradbury Omega Plus range would be an excellent choice.

To summarise, the AIR chair is ideal for a design conscious specifier who is looking for a chair to suit a variety of users at a good price point. 

If you would like further information on this chair or any of our chair ranges, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

If you are a fan of the heritage trend that is current at the moment, there are a couple of seating fabrics that can bring your chairs bang up to date.

The Craggan fabric range from Camira Fabrics is based on a 25 year old traditional wool fabric with a contemporary twist. The 97% Pure New Wool fabric has a subtle highlight shade that sits within the weave giving a traditional fabric a modern twist. 

The Blazer Check fabric also from Camira Fabrics does exactly what it says. A 100% Pure New Wool fabric, it consists of a traditional check pattern in grey with a bright background colour which gives the fabric a contemporary look.

With both fabrics being made of Pure New Wool they are inherently hard wearing, with some natural self-cleaning properties and are suitable for both soft seating and task chairs. Both ranges feature 8 different shades. At the end of life the fabrics are compostable.

What to put this fabric on? The Mortimer armchair and new sofa from Connection Seating have a retro air about them, with strong curved shapes and the option to have wooden legs fitted. The Jensen armchair and sofas from Verco Office Furniture also have a retro feel with straight sides and a backrest featuring buttons. The Danny from Verco Office Furniture is a contemporary tub chair suitable for meetings or breakout areas. 

If you would like to find out more about our fabric and seating ranges please contact me mark@lismark.co.uk or give me a call on 0116 251 7741.

 

I wrote here recently about the ME100 task chair form MDK Seating. This has proved to be a very popular chair so I thought I would write about its stable mate, the Activ ME500 mesh backed version.  

The ME500 features the same generous seat as the ME100 with a double seat slide, which is fairly unique. It also features the flex-front seat to lessen pressure under the thighs. The main difference is the back. The ME500 features a mesh back with an integral adjustable lumbar support panel as standard. The lumbar panel can be moved to fit into the lumbar region of your back. The backrest is also height adjustable. The mesh on the back can be specified in different colours from the Camira Acrobat range.

A variety of height adjustable arms may be specified on this chair to offer personalised arm support to those who require it. As well as height adjustment, width adjustment and armpad rotation is also offered.

My opinion: The seat on this chair is a big plus. It is very comfortable with plenty of adjustment to suit staff of all heights. Mesh backed chairs are very fashionable right now and I think this chair has recognised that market. The back is rather 'straight-sided' and could have done with a little more shape to make it look more interesting. The built-in lumbar support is very adjustable and along with the ratchet back height adjustment it is easy to get it in just the right place. The choice of armpads is another plus with this chair for those operators that require arm support. A five year guarantee is offered as standard.

The ME500 is a dependable chair that can be specified with a wide range of options depending on taste and the support required from the chair. This makes it an ideal chair to suit a wide range of staff members.

If you would like further information on this chair or any of our chair ranges, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

 

Verco Office Furniture has recently launched their new BRIX modular soft seating range. This range is particularly suitable for reception areas and staff breakout areas.

The Brix is an upholstered bench seating range. The benches may be specified with or without backs. The backs are an upholstered panel. A bench can have 1 back on the left or right hand side, 2 backs alongside each other or 2 backs facing in opposite directions. The benches have minimalist silver legs. With a variety of back options, different configurations are easily achieved. Two tone fabric may also be specified meaning that the backs may be a different colour to the bench.

The benches can be lined up in many different arrangements to suit any environment. As they are self-supporting, they can be easily re-configured when required for totally flexibility.

The range also includes co-ordinating coffee tables. The coffee tables come as a low level coffee table and a double decker seat height coffee table which sits at the same height as the seating. This can therefore be used alongside the seats within the same arrangement

MY VERDICT - The Brix is a soft seating range which will suit an informal reception area or breakout area. It will not suit a solicitors or an accountant's office. But it will suit a less formal organisation or even a school or college. The variety of configurations that can be achieved is a big plus if circumstances change. It may also be added to at a later date.

The two tone fabric option can also add a touch of interest and style and be used to match in to corporate colours. The legs are stylish and the coffee tables are a good match rather than an afterthought add-on to the range.

As always with Verco, it is a well-built product, meant to last with a five year guarantee which will undoubtedly last a lot longer than that. 

We are always looking for something different to offer to our clients that can help to improve their business and the workplace environment for their staff. 

If you've ever eaten in Wagamama you'll have sat on the bench seats and had your food served on to the long tables. This type of layout is very different to standard restaurants. It's very social as you have to sit close to someone you maybe don't know and therefore its relaxed and fun.

We can now offer this dining experience in your own staff dining area. Our Block range of tables and bench seats is a minimalist designed range of dining area furniture. It is constructed of heavy duty laminate designed to withstand the knocks and bashes of the daily routine in a busy cafe, restaurant, school or college dining area or staff breakout area. Another plus side is that you can get more people seated in a smaller area as diners are seated closer together than they normally would be at standard tables with the gaps in between.

Available in white beech or walnut laminate it may also be specified with a contrasting edge profile. Optional upholstered seat pads are also available which we would recommend that you have upholstered in a stain resistant fabric such as Camira Fabrics Intervene range.If you would like to know more about the Block range or any of our dining area furniture, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk. 

We are very proud to announce that we are currently featuring on the Best Practice Exchange for Small Businesses on the Guardian newspaper website with our entry into their competition for articles about your experiences and advice about cashflow. You can read our entry here. 

The TONIC chair from Pledge Seating is a medium back meeting or visitor chair, available with or without arms and with a choice of a 4-star static base or a sled frame base.

The Tonic has very clean lines with detailed stitching on the front of the back rest to add interest to the look of the chair. The arm frame is made of tubular chrome which extends right around the back of the chair to aid the clean appearance.

The retro aesthetic is enhanced by the static 4-star base. This really adds to the look of the chair as opposed to the sled base which is rather utilitarian and not as handsome as the 4-star.

The Tonic would be suitable as a meeting chair in the sled base guise, with or without arms. The 4-star version would be particularly suitable as a visitor chair in reception areas or offices.

A chair like this would look good being upholstered in a fabric like Camira Blazer which is a plain fabric, with a luxurious feel and available in a great range of hues.

If you would like more details on the Tonic chair or any of our chair ranges, please get in touch on 0116 251 7741 or email mark@lismark.co.uk. 

Verco have done it again! More great new designs, this time for chairs that would be stunning in your reception and also work brilliantly as alternatives to standard meeting chairs.We love the Danny take on the tub chair that looks more elegant than tubby, with chrome legs and the ability to mix and match back and seat colours.The Echo seating has a retro feel but couldn't be more modern - the all-white version is ideal to make an impact in a light and airy setting and carries on the chrome legged theme.

If you're looking for a new look for your office, we're happy to help. Give us a call on 0116 251 7741, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Also, don't forget our free delivery if you're based in this area. All part of the service.

The 'Bjorn' chair is a brand new all-purpose chair from Pledge Seating.

The chair has an upholstered seat and back with ribbed upholstery to add interest and detail to a very 'clean' minimalist chair. The seat has a slight 'waterfall' front edge to soften the look and as an aid to comfort by relieving pressure on the back of the users legs. The most attractive feature of this chair is the attractive 4-legged wooden frame. Available in 5 finishes, the wooden legs give the chair a homely look suitable for a workplace which mixes the office with a more laidback atmosphere like the offices of Google and AOL.

We are seeing more and more products that could be easily specified for use in a meeting room as well as a home.

With the look and feel of this chair it would be suitable for use in a meeting room, breakout area covered in a stain-resistant fabric such as Camira Intervene, or even in a bar/restaurant in a vinyl or leather finish.

If you would like further details on the Bjorn chair or any of our meeting chair ranges, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email us mark@lismark.co.uk.

The other day I was at a customer's premises taking measurements for a new executive office furniture installation. While I was there, a competitor of ours delivered half a dozen 'cheap' sets of pedestal drawers for an area of the organisation that our client didn't want to spend a lot of money on. Our pedestals and office furniture does cost a little more than others.

The first thing that surprised me was that the pedestals were not boxed but wrapped in bubble wrap. This does not offer enough protection during transit of the pedestals and sure enough there were chips and scratches on the pedestals. All of our pedestals are boxed but of course boxes cost more than bubble wrap.

When they were unwrapped, the drawers immediately started coming apart. The joint between the back and the side of the drawer should have been stapled but no staples had been applied. Obviously, the pedestals hadn't been checked by the manufacturer as this was a fault that should have been easily spotted. Our pedestals joints are glued for strength and a neat finish and they are checked before they leave the factory.

The customer also had to assemble the pedestals, so any money saved was being spent on paying a member of staff to do this while they probably had better things to do. All our pedestals are delivered assembled and unwrapped by a member of our staff on the customer's premises and put in to place.

The customer decided to send them back to the manufacturer. I spoke to the customer a couple of days later and they told me that the company who supplied the cheap pedestals didn't believe that they had arrived in that state and were refusing to take them back. They wanted to see photographic evidence of the faulty pedestals therefore wasting more of the customer's time.  

The saying goes "if you buy cheap, you buy twice". After you have spent time trying to sort out faulty cheap product, you may as well have spent a little more and got furniture that you can be proud of.

If you're frustrated with your current office furniture supplier and their product, why not give us a call for a friendly chat on 0116 251 7741.  

"I was looking for desking and wanted something different. You were the only ones who offered something different."

"We have recently refurbished ict/learning area and would like to create a new trendy flexible learning room in school. I would be delighted if someone could come out and help design it with your lovely furniture."

The comments above are just two we have recently received from people who are looking to furnish areas of their business or school but are conscious that they want furniture that they can be proud of and will suit their needs.

For desking a little bit different, we recommended our DNA range of desking designed by Roger Webb Associates. With its totally unique leg design, it stands out from the crowd of run of the mill desking. 

For a flexible learning room, we had to recommend our tilt-top tables. Simple to use, easy to move and re-configure, they make the most of your space. Our tough, stackable Focus chair with chrome legs is an attractive, robust chair.

For an easily moveable soft seating area, we recommended our Dice and Drum seats. Attractive, eye catching, fun design in square and round shapes, they are easily transportable if the soft seating area needs to be moved.

We have a wide product range and a wealth of product knowledge. We like to think that we have the office furniture and breakout furniture to suit every need - but we welcome a challenge!

If you would like to see how we can make the most of your workspace, learning area or breakout space, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk. 

In an interview in the October edition of FHM magazine, the menswear Oliver Spencer says that his company and products are "like a BMW, basically. Expensive, but people feel like they're getting value for money at the same time".

He sums his company and products up brilliantly. And this is exactly how we feel at Lismark Office Furniture. We will never be the cheapest and proudly so. Companies are bringing in office furniture from the Far East that we could never match price wise but we beat easily for quality, design and choice.

All our office furniture is manufactured in Britain. This enables us to offer a great service. We also like to think that our office furniture has a bit if design flair about it, while also being a good investment which will stand the test of time.

If your office wants aspirational furniture for your go-ahead organisation, why not give us a call on 0116 251 7741.  

Oblique desking is a beam desking system manufactured by Verco Office Furniture in High Wycombe, England. It is available in 6 shades of MFC top and 3 shades of veneer top with leg frames available in White or Silver. There is also a complementary range of storage available.

Straight, straight, straight is the name of the game with the Oblique desking. There is not one curved line anywhere on this range of furniture. The desk tops are rectangular with a square edge and the leg frames consist of square section metal. This means that it has a clean, minimalist, modern look.

The Oblique can be specified as a single desk or as 'bench' desking. The bench desking arrangement consists of rectangular shaped tops sharing a common leg frame. This keeps components to a minimum and also saves money as you need fewer legs. A 6 desk rectangular arrangement with 3 facing 3 only uses 4 legs. Standalone desking would require 12 legs. Tops can also be made to run the length of the arrangement to save money on separate tops and keep a clean aesthetic.

Access to the underside of the desks is easy due to fewer legs and no modesty panels (good news for the I.T. department!).This also helps give a 'clean' appearance. If your organisation tends to re-configure desks on a regular basis, this desking may suit them due to the lower number of components to move around. It is also easy to put together - even I can do it if I'm in the mood!

If you would like further information on the Oblique range or any other of our desking ranges, please contact us on 0116 251 7741. 

 

Executive chairs - take a new look at the classically curved Verve and naturally stylish Vibe

These executive chairs are classic favourites but we're putting a spotlight on the new photography that manufacturer Verco have provided for their Verve and Vibe manager seating.

Verve's contoured, 'wrap-around' back and curvaceous arms hug your body providing excellent ergonomic support. The managerial chairs have a synchronised mechanism with side operated tension control and are available in a choice of two back heights, both offering height adjustability for complete comfort.

Vibe's ergonomically advanced design is complemented by its light environmental footprint. Available with a full plastic back shell, fully upholstered or with a show wood outer back, the Vibe can be tailored to suit most office environments.

If you're looking for an investment in you and your workplace, the Verve or Vibe, comfortable and stylish, would be a wise choice.

See more manager chairs and executive office furniture.

If you're looking for a new look for your office, we're happy to help. Give us a call on 0116 251 7741, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Minimalist white furniture has been with us for a while now but there is a new trend that is taking things a step further. We are seeing more and more pared down, almost industrial design.

In the offices of forward thinking companies like AOL, Microsoft & Google, we are seeing bare, unfinished wood on walls as well as floors.

This look is proving to be even more popular in cafés and restaurants. Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant in Birmingham features bare metal tables and chairs with bare wood used on walls and floors.  

With regards to offices, we have already had designers asking us for galvanised metal racking, which is more commonly used in warehouses, for use as shelving in offices alongside our DNA desking.  

If you would like to talk to us further about the design of your office or breakout area, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741. 

A recent article in the Daily Mail featured the ultimate ergonomic chair at the ultimate price of £5,400!!! Nice work if you can get it!

If you think that providing ergonomic chairs for your staff is a luxury you can't afford, think again.

For every person who takes time off sick with back pain, 13 others are suffering in silence and, quite possibly, working less effectively than they could and should be. The costs could be adding up without you knowing it.

But ergonomic chairs cost the earth, don't they?

Not necessarily. We like the BUZZ chair from Verco, from just £93.00 + vat.

The BUZZ is a great example of how a bad back chair should work:

·         A large posture seat for superior comfort with optional seat slide.

·         Height-adjustable, ergonomically profiled, tri-curve back to ensure total contact and comfort for all users.

·         A choice of three mechanisms: synchronised, independent seat and back, and back rake adjustment - each with finger-tip controls.

If you're concerned about your staff's wellbeing and want a happier, more productive workplace, then improving their seating is an easy - and cost effective - way to make a real difference.

Give us a call on 0116 251 7741 to discuss your needs. We'll be happy to help.

 

Do you ever find that you need a bit of privacy for an ad hoc meeting but the conference facilities in your organisation are constantly busy? Alternatively, do you yearn for a quiet place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the office to work on your tablet or smartphone? After all, with mobile technology why should you be chained to your desk?

We are seeing more and more 'privacy' armchairs and sofas from the likes of sixteen3, Pledge Seating and Connection which have privacy panels of up to 5 feet high built in on three sides.

These create a quiet work space where you can work with your mobile tech in peace or an informal meeting place for you to chat in private and which is ready at any time.

With one unit facing another you almost have an impromptu meeting room with the disruption and expense of building work in your office.

This is an example of what creative thinking and good design of office furniture can add to a forward thinking organisation. It helps to inspire colleagues to work more productively. It also helps to retain staff by making them feel valued.

If you would like to learn more please get in touch on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk.  

We've just had some great news. We've been awarded an order for café and breakout furniture for a pupil rest area at a school in the Midlands. Why were we successful?

Choice of colours: The client asked for chairs in the school colours of Burgundy and Grey. We were able to offer our Mood chairs, which come in 10 colours. We specified our Form tables which have Silver-Grey tops to complement these. We also specified our Plaza modular seating in a Burgundy coloured fabric from the 'Intervene' range. The 'Intervene' range is particularly suitable for areas where people are eating and drinking as it is waterproof and stain repellent. If a liquid is spilt on the fabric, it simply 'beads up' and rolls off.

Delivery: We always offer delivery to suit the client's needs. In this case delivery is required during the school holidays.  We also build up and install all the furniture we supply. Please check our website for our free delivery area.

Meeting the clients brief and budget: Another company had quoted 3 times our price. We don't aim to be the cheapest but we listen to what is required and specify furniture to suit what is required.  

This is all part of the Lismark Office Furniture promise.

If you are thinking of new office furniture, café furniture, or breakout furniture, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me, Mark Brown, at mark@lismark.co.uk

Lismark Office Furniture is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record.

The Leicester based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.

Lismark Office Furniture is principally involved in the sales, delivery and installation of office furniture, café and breakout furniture.

The company's application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.

Mark Brown, Director of Lismark Office Furniture said, "This accreditation reinforces our desire to ensure the safety of our staff and the smooth and successful delivery and installation of the furniture we sell.

SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company's ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

SAFEcontractor is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services.

John Kinge, Head of Risk at SAFEcontractor said, "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies".

"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Lismark has done. The firm's high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector".

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com

Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, enabling them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.

Over one hundred and fifty major nation-wide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.

For further information contact:

Mark Brown, Director

Tel: (0116) 251 7741 or email mark@lismark.co.uk

One of our featured manufacturers, Connection Seating, has created a new concept for the workspace: Liquid Workspace. This defines the workplace in to 3 different areas.

1^st Space - Office Space: consisting of static desking, task chairs, personal storage and cupboard storage.  

2^nd Space - Meeting Space: By using semi-formal and formal meeting tables, meeting spaces encourage gatherings to be collaborative, dynamic and to aid meetings be more productive and creative.

3^rd Space - Breakout space: Using soft seating, coffee tables, café furniture and 'Hive' (LINK) modular furniture to encourage people to relax but also work more informally by utilising mobile technology in the form of smartphones, tablets and laptops to take your work with you.

At the heart of this thinking is a good idea for the benefit of the employer and the employees. What is being advocated is a blurring of the lines between office, meeting room and breakout areas, making these spaces dual purpose and therefore a more efficient use of expensive floor space. What if you could tear down your meeting rooms and fit more desks in for new staff because meetings are being held in the breakout areas and offices - wouldn't this be a better use of your resources?

What's in it for the employees? Less informal meetings, more efficient meetings with less wasted time, better brainstorming, working in different locations, interacting with other staff around the organisation, better collaboration between different departments. Altogether, a more productive and fulfilling work experience. Happier staff makes life better for everyone. 

It's great when furniture can achieve a more modern, forward thinking, productive workplace.

We've seen this sort of thinking at very forward thinking organisations like at Google's Victoria Station office and now it is catching on with progressive organisations around the country.

If you think your company or organisation would benefit from adopting the liquid workspace philosophy, give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk .

Just lately our CITY chairs and CITY stools are creating a lot of interest. They are available in3 solid colours, red, white and black and six transparent colours: red, orange, grey, green, clear and blue.

It is the transparent colours that are catching people's eye. Stunning to look at in the flesh, they add a touch of interest and fun with the bright jewel-like colours. Their transparency allows the light to flood through your breakout area, café, staffroom or even meeting room. And they are surprisingly comfortable.

The polycarbonate shell is UV stabilised so that they won't fade over time. They are stackable for convenience and are guaranteed for five years.

If you would like more information on the CITY range or any of our selection of Breakout and Café chairs and tables, please give us a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me, Mark Brown, at mark@lismark.co.uk.

Two new ranges from Verco show how traditionally made seating can ride the retro trend to look utterly contemporary in receptions, breakout or meeting areas.

The Jensen range uses high quality craftsmanship and materials in a contemporary design with deep cushioning and smooth, sophisticated lines. With understated elegance, Jensen is available as an armchair, a two, or a three seater sofa - a powerful architectural statement in any environment.

We predict this trend will be popular amongst our customers. Congratulations to Verco on such fabulous new designs in their celebratory centenary year.

See more from our breakout and reception ranges.

Sixteen3 are a young, soft seating design company based in Warrington, Cheshire. They design and manufacture quality, retro styled soft seating, dining/breakout chairs and occasional tables. They have a wide range to suit all tastes and requirements.

One chair that caught my eye was the ERIK chair. Available as a one seater chair and 2 or 3 seater sofas, the Erik has a retro, blocky feel due to its straight lines, wide arm rests and low back rest. What makes the Erik stand out is that it comes with upholstered legs, an option that I have never come across before on a chair. The legs can be upholstered in any fabric you desire, whether to match or contrast with the main chair fabric. This chair would look especially good in fabric from the Blazer range from Camira Fabrics.

If you are not convinced by upholstered legs, then the Erik is also available with wood or painted metal legs.

If you would like further information on the Erik or any of our soft seating ranges, please call me, Mark Brown, on 0116 251 7741 or email me mark@lismark.co.uk. 

What a great compliment. It is really good when we get feedback, especially when it is positive.   

Bad back chairs - use them to correct and prevent bad backs in your workplace

Lower back pain is the second largest cause of long term sickness in the UK and the largest cause of disability for workers under the age of 45.

50 million working days are lost each year in the UK to back pain at a cost of £5 billion each year. And for every person who takes time off sick with back pain, 13 others are suffering in silence and, quite possibly, working less effectively than they could and should be.

Put like that it's a problem you can't overlook. So does skimping on the quality of your office chairs, just to save a few pounds in the short term, make long term sense?

It really is worth investing in good quality ergonomic seating that will not only help those workers who are already suffering but that will also help prevent back problems amongst the others.

The ACT 5 is a popular orthopaedic posture chair, one of the favourites amongst our customers. It's ideal for bad back sufferers because: 

·         You can adjust every part of it and tailor it to your own individual spine curvature, leg length and height requirements.

·         It gives you good low, middle and upper back support through its natural back-shaped back cushion.

·         It also has endless variety in sitting and back angles and a rocking tilt action.

If you're concerned about your staff's wellbeing and want a happier, more productive workplace, then replacing their seating is an easy way to make some real improvements.

Give us a call on 0116 251 7741 to discuss your needs. We'll be happy to help. 

The ME100 chair manufactured by MDK Seating, based in Leicestershire is a high back task chair with a large comfortable flex-front seat and a shapely back incorporating a 3-way curve. It has a large number of chair adjustments, a lot of which can be found on other chairs.

The main differing feature on this chair is that is has two seat slides! One is a standard seat slide and the second enables the chair seat to have a movement range of 160mm from the rearmost position to the forward position. This is the widest seat slide adjustment available. A benefit of this is for the chair buyer who has to supply different options of chairs for members of staff within their organisation. This chair boasts that it can supply 95% of the adult population.

(Seat slide is a feature that allows the chair user to move the seat forward or backward to offer improved support to the thighs.)

The chair also has a 'flex-front' seat to lessen pressure under the front of the thighs.

There are also plenty of upholstery personalisation options. The standard upholstered backrest can be supplied with one fabric on the front and a different fabric on the back. Mesh panels can also be applied over the fabric upholstery for a very unique look. Make sure the two go together colourwise!

One the seat, the side panels can be specified in a different fabric to the main body of the seat.

When you have eventually finished with the chair, the manufacturers claim that this chair is 95% recyclable. There is a 5 year warranty on the ME100 chair but over chairs we have had from this manufacturer tend to last a lot longer.

With a dizzying array of options of chair adjustment and upholstery, it can be easy to get carried away when specifying the ME100 chair and watch the price shoot up. But basically, the ME100 is a comfortable, reliable, robust chair that will provide good service for many years. With the amount of chair adjustments available, everyone should be able to get this chair to suit them.

If you would like further information on this chair or any of our chair ranges, please give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 251 7741 or email me at mark@lismark.co.uk  

New product blog - The 'fifteen' from Pledge Office Chairs First the blurb from Pledge:

Now my verdict: As a straight low modular sofa it is fairly straightforward. They are correct in saying that adding the slightly angled units that it does soften the whole look a little.

It is when it is specified as a concave unit that it becomes interesting. The concave angle turns people slightly inwards to face the centre, encouraging them to interact more closely and maybe even making it a less formal unit.

Specifying upholstery in differing fabrics on the same unit adds interest.

The use of high back units has the added benefit of reducing background noise. When two high back units are placed facing each other this makes an informal meeting extra discreet.  The high back units could also be used in place of expensive permanent room partitioning in receptions or breakout areas.

There is also a high back single chair which could be used for making phone calls without people overhearing your conversation.

I feel that the 'fifteen' collection from Pledge is a welcome addition to the Breakout/Reception sector. This will compete directly with the 'Hive' range from Connection Seating but at a lower price point, which is always good news. 

At first look the Hadley chair from Connection Seating is a contemporary twist on the common Tub chair. It is ideal for Reception and Breakout areas.

The interesting idea is that the seat pad can be upholstered in a different fabric to the rest of the chair. This creates great options for personalisation. How about specifying the chair in company colours or having a bright impact colour seat pad with a sober coloured chair?

A great fabric on this chair would be Intervene from Camira Fabrics. This fabric is particularly suitable for high traffic areas such as Receptions and Breakout areas as it is waterproof, breathable and has added stain repellence. It provides long term performance in the most demanding environment. 

Let's hear what Connection say about their new Mortimer chair:

A stylish one piece moulded foam chair with a formal yet relaxing seating position. Its unique contemporary classic aesthetic combined with the versatility of the base options offers solutions to all environments. Dual upholstery is an option with the seat pad.

Designed by Craig Jones, the Mortimer has a very retro look with distinctive arms and a low back. It is available with different base options:

Silver wire 4 legged frame

Swivel & fixed column bases

4 legged silver frame

Solid beech 4 legged frame

My favourite is the solid beech 4 legged frame. It has a warm, homely feel from the appearance of the wood. Upholstered in something like a Blazer fabric from Camira Fabrics for example, this chair would look great in Reception areas, Breakout areas and for use in informal meetings.

If you would like to hear more about the Mortimer chair or of any other chair from our ranges, contact me Mark Brown at mark@lismark.co.uk or give me a call on 0116 251 7741

They deliver on time as promised, set up the furniture and remove the packaging.  As always, a prompt and efficient service from a small company who offer good advice and quality furniture.         

Denise, Camp Hill, Warwickshire       

If you require the maximum flexibility from your meeting room then modular tables are the solution.

'Modular' means that the tables can be separated and recombined into differing configurations.  The tables come in different shapes and sized but they can be combined with all the edges matching up in length.

·         Shapes: rectangular, d-shaped and trapezoidal. All can be combined to create different layouts. The most common layout for meeting is rectangular tables in the centre with a d-shaped table at each end to give a softer look at the end. The d-shaped table can accommodate 3 people at each end of the table. The most common layout for training purposes is a 'U' shape.

·         Size: Individual rectangular and d-shaped tables are 1600w x 800d x 720h mm. We also supply rectangles at 1400 x 800. Trapezoidal tables are 1600 x 693mm. This size matches the other shapes perfectly.

·         Colour: Oak, Beech, Maple, Light Grey and White tops.

·         Leg frames: There are 3 different leg frame options: Folding leg, tilt-top and four-legged.

The four-legged table does what it says on the tin! Four static legs like a traditional table.  With the folding leg frame, the legs fold under the table for ease of movement (just like a decorators table but a lot posher!). The folding legs are high quality chrome. The folding leg frame has been improved on by the tilt-top table (my favourite!). You simply pull a lever and the table top moves from horizontal to vertical. They are on lockable castors so they can be wheeled about by one person with ease.

If you are pushed for space the folding tables can be stacked together and the tilt-top tables can be 'nested, together.

The other issue you need to consider is to allow 900mm approx. around the outside of your table arrangement to enable people to move away from the tables with ease.

If you are thinking about modular tables for your meeting room, give me, Mark Brown, a call on 0116 2517741. I would be pleased to go through the available options with you and measure your meeting space. 

I thought I would write a guide to choosing a meeting table suitable for your needs. This guide is meant for large one/two piece tables that are permanently sited in your meeting area.

Getting the right size and suitable shape table to suit your available space can be a minefield. If possible, get advice from your furniture supplier. We offer a free of charge service, where we come out to your premises and measure up your meeting space and discuss the option available for you to choose from.

What size?

It is worth considering what people will bring to the table - will they bring laptops and various books, plans etc. or will they bring a pad, pen and a cup of coffee? Will your meetings be formal with clients or would people be ok with sitting close to each other. We recently had a client purchase a smaller table so that he could get better interaction between his staff. As a rough guide, allow each person 700mm width of personal space at the table. For example a 2 metre long table will seat 6-8 people. A 2.4 metre table will take 8-10 people. You will also have to allow 900mm around the table to give people enough room to move away from the table with ease.

What shape?

The old favourite is rectangular but this has been overtaken by 'Double-D-End' which has a semi-circle at each end with two long sides. Elliptical or Oval is also becoming popular along with Barrel shaped (when looking from above).  

Colour/finish/style?

Does your table need to match other items in your offices or is it in a space on its own? What sort of business are you and what impression are you trying to give to any visitors? Are you a traditional business (e.g. lawyers, accountants etc.)? In this case a classic design in veneer should give the right impression. Are you a design-led business (e.g. architects, designers etc.)? Maybe you can make a statement with the table top in a daring colour with stylish leg frames in white or chrome. Our bestselling finishes are still oak, beech and maple mfc.

Power? Are power and data sockets required to laptops, phones and projectors? Also consider cable management provision.

Storage to match? Do you require cupboards to store tea and coffee cups and other items to keep your meeting space clutter free?

Remember that your meeting room may be the only room in your organisation that your clients see so you need to give them the best impression that you possibly can of your business.

It's that time of year when we start to imagine how enjoyable it will be to spend time outside. A quick coffee or leisurely lunch in the sunshine, what could be nicer? And, being hardy Brits, we'll give it a go despite what our weather might do.

There's a serious point here, though. If you've got outside space that is being under-used but could come into its own in the spring and summer, it's an opportunity to create some additional, seasonal, break-out space - or to generate additional revenue through additional seating for your café or restaurant.

But that tendency of the British weather to throw us a shower every now and again means you'd want furniture that is:

· Lightweight and easy to carry,

· Easy to store when it's not being used, and

· Durable enough to stand up to the weather and wear and tear.

In an ideal world, that furniture would also be useful the year round so our indoor-outdoor furniture is just the thing:

· Colourful chairs, armchairs and high stools in polypropylene are stackable and easy to store.

· Square or circular tables are stackable or with flip tops.

Take a look at more of our café and restaurant furniture or give us a call to see how we can help you - 0116 251 7741.











  

What is Get Britain Trading? This is an excerpt from the Get Britain Trading website

Get Britain Trading is a campaign to make it simpler and more profitable to run a small business. We aim to achieve improved business conditions and celebrate small businesses. Help us to raise awareness of the massive contribution small firms make to the economy and our communities by joining the campaign!

There is a manifesto to show what they are trying to achieve. The campaign already has a list of success stories in helping British businesses and saving jobs.

We've signed up to join the campaign. We are proud to be a small British business and we deal with other British businesses. Personally speaking, dealing with other British businesses is easier than bringing office furniture and seating from abroad. We don't have the experience or the time and patience to go abroad. Dealing with UK companies, means that we ourselves can offer a better, faster service because we have more control and get quicker responses from UK manufacturers. We are also able to offer special products and fabrics on a short lead time with no minimum order quantity.

For us, it makes sense to go British. And anything to make business easier is very welcome. So please sign up today. It's free.

My last blog on Hemp seating fabric was very popular so I thought it may be a good idea to explain how to choose the seating fabric to suit your needs and your budget.

Many cheap chairs will be supplied with a choice of blue, black, red etc. If you go for a chair for a little extra expense you should be able to choose from very wide variety of fabric colours, patterns, finishes and eco-credentials.

Two of the best know seating fabric companies are Camira Fabrics (http://www.camirafabrics.com/) and Bradbury Contract Fabrics (http://www.bradburyfabrics.com/). Both are based in Yorkshire and sell a wide range of fabrics for seating and desk divider screens.

The most popular fabric we sell is 'Xtreme Plus'. It is available in 60 different, very bright, attractive, modern colours. It has a good abrasion resistance, which means it will wear well, with a 10 year guarantee of wearability, although some of the lighter colours may show the dirt after a while. It is also priced well, being in the cheapest but one price band. This is important when you are buying a large number of chairs as fabric in a higher band can add as much as £50 and more to the price of each chair.

Just lately we have been selling a lot of chairs in 'Intervene fabric'.  This fabric is ideal for use in healthcare, education and other heavy duty areas. It is fire-retardant, waterproof, urine proof, stain repellent, anti-bacterial, breathable and bleach cleanable. If you spill a liquid on it, the liquid simply 'balls-up' and rolls off the fabric. This fabric is available in textured finish, pattern with circles, plain or marl finish.

As I've blogged about before, the Hemp and Sting fabrics are an eco-friendly choice, which cost a little more and have a limited colour choice. Hopefully these will come down in price over time.

Blazer is a mid-range choice in 32 colours in 100% pure new wool making this a sound ecological choice. It is renewable and compostable. This has a nice 'cosy' feel with some great colours.

Choosing fabric colours can be a very personal choice, which you may have to live with for a long while. It pays not to make an error and choose a colour that will not date. It is also prudent to pick a fabric suitable for your situation. If people are going to be eating or drinking while sitting on the chair, a stain repellent fabric may be a good choice.  

If you'd like to talk to us more about choosing seating fabric or to order swatch cards and information booklet, contact me Mark Brown at mark@lismark.co.uk or give me a call on 0116 251 7741.