A FAMILY furnishing business that opened 75 years ago has been sold.

Clarkes Furnishers, one of Maidstone’s best known family stores, is now owned by Lenleys, an equally well-known Canterbury name. Its history also goes back to the 1930s.

Clarkes has operated from a large store at the corner of Sandling Road, Maidstone since moving there in the 1990s after a devastating fire destroyed the previous King Street store.

It also ran a second-hand furniture business in Tovil Green, Maidstone, until its closure earlier this year.

Richard Clarke, the outgoing managing director, said: "Our family has been honoured and proud to have served our customers and been a part of the Maidstone shopping scene for so many years.

"We have had a wonderful time and will miss our customers, many of whom we know personally, as well as our many friends in the trade.

"We know that Lenleys, a family-run business very similar to our own, will continue to take the same care of customers and staff and we are extremely pleased that we were able to sell to a company who will retain Clarkes individuality."

The new owners will continue to trade as Clarkes Furnishers, with the help of all the present staff managed by store manager Andy Symonds.

Jonathan Watts, managing director of Lenleys, added: "We are delighted to have bought Clarkes. It’s a fantastic business whose past shares so many similarities to our business in Canterbury.

"Lenleys founding owners, my father Len and his friend Stanley Adsett, were Maidstone school friends. My father worked for Dunnings in the town before he and Stan moved to Canterbury in order to start their new business.

"If the Clarkes had not started a couple of years earlier, Lenleys would probably have located in Maidstone themselves.

"We can assure all our customers that Clarkes reputation for quality, value and great service will continue to be our priority."