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Vale & Bridgecraft
The Bridgecraft tradition started nearly 70 years ago in a tiny workshop by Leeds Bridge. This was in 1935 when Maurice (Morry) Lee started out in business in a converted stable called Shepherd's Fold. Known originally as the ‘Bridge' Upholstery, the fledgling firm staked its early reputation on the uncompromising craft standards Morry learned as an apprentice on the bench. As a very gifted and intuitive upholsterer, he set out to produce the kind of furniture that would be durable, affordable and always just that little bit better than its competitors.
It was in the late 40s and early 50s following the end of wartime utility restrictions that the Bridge Upholstery and Bridgecraft furniture really took off. From its new home in Mabgate the unique ‘signature’ of Bridgecraft design could be detected in much upholstery styling in the northern marketplace. In the very early days all three piece suites were in either rust, green or brown moquette - a far cry from the choice, style and colour flair that became the hallmark of the brand. By the early 1960s it was generally considered that to have a Bridgecraft suite in your living room was somewhat akin to having a Jaguar car parked in your drive.
But by far the greatest compliment paid to Bridgecraft came from the furniture trade itself. Bridgecraft became the standard by which most upholstery was judged and as few firms could copy the interior quality of the furniture (the demands of its construction being simply uneconomic for most) the sincerest form of flattery was a steady following of its design ideas by many imitators.
