As Raft makes room for Cricklewood Broadway Redevelopment, we thank our lovely and loyal Cricklewood customers and warmly welcome you to visit us at our other stores. Redirecting our focus towards our flagship store in Westfield and our satellite showrooms in Richmond and St Albans, we're excited for what the future holds.
In 1999, Mick Quinn and Heinz Frye took a leap and opened the first ever Raft showroom on Cricklewood Broadway. “You wouldn’t recognise Raft if you saw it back then!” Mick laughs, looking around the beautiful Cricklewood showroom today, nostalgically, “Picture this: we were selling everything, from furniture to leather Gladstone bags!” “It looked like a Jumble Sale” jokes Siobhan, Mick’s wife and Raft’s Head of Brand.
Over the past 25 years, Raft has evolved from a local haven for unique home furnishings to the destination for high-quality, handmade sofas and reclaimed teak furniture. With a sofa factory in Wembley and reclaimed teak factory and solar powered kiln in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Raft is a pioneer in the sustainable furniture world. Raft strives to pay respect to local communities by sourcing its materials ethically and manufacturing locally to the source. The reclaimed teak factory is run by Raft's fantastic Toby Gard who started his career in the Cricklewood showroom over a decade ago.
When asked about the biggest change Mick has seen in the furniture industry in the past 25 years, he responded that he’s seen a positive change in how thoughtful the public have become, prioritising locally made, high quality furniture. Unfortunately, he also noted that with this growth in awareness, companies have become more savvy: “The mass import of cheap products that now look like they are legitimate is exacerbating. At first glance it can be hard to tell real wood apart from veneers. It’s much more difficult now for the public to look at something and know that it’s low quality. The tactic seems to be shouting about where the product was designed and skipping over where and how it’s been made.”
Raft Cricklewood being so close to the Wembley sofa factory has made its position as a heritage brand particularly strong for local customers. “It’s so fantastic to have worked with so many of the same customers from the very beginning and that’s what this showroom represents. Our kids grew up here and our customers have lived this journey with us.” reflects Heinz Frye.
In recent years, one key moment in Cricklewood’s story was the introduction of an Outlet Centre on its top floor in November 2023. Putting NW2 on the map as an off-the-beaten-track destination for reduced, high-quality furniture, Raft Cricklewood’s magnetism extended to customers who discovered Raft in other showrooms and online. With the closing of Cricklewood, naturally this also means the closing of the Outlet Centre. However, we will still maintain a limited collection of Outlet furniture online.
The closing down of Cricklewood is a relocation that marks a shift in strategy for Raft, redirecting focus towards its shiny flagship store in Westfield London and satellite stores in Richmond and St Albans. It also creates an opportunity for redevelopment on Cricklewood Broadway, an area close to the heart of co-owner Mick Quinn, who grew up in Neasden.
Now known for its flagship’s presence in Westfield London, Raft is officially the biggest British manufacturer and retailer in any Westfield worldwide. A specialist in reclaimed teak furniture, Raft exhibits a range of authentic, sustainable teak furniture, handcrafted by artisans in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Alongside this, Raft’s handmade sofa service continues to thrive as a timeless collection, customisable for every access concern and style of home.
When asked what’s next for Raft, Mick explains that the brand is ever-evolving. “We’re broadening our interior design offering. Timeless furniture and heirlooms will always be central to Raft but the lifestyle and overall look is something we’re also excited to be sharing through bigger projects.”
Despite the opportunities that this move brings, ultimately, the Raft team will miss the way the Cricklewood Headquarters have felt like home for 25 years. While the doors of Raft’s Cricklewood shop are closing, Raft is going nowhere. If you're a loyal Cricklewood customer who hasn't visited our other stores, see this as a warm invitation. You'll find our Cricklewood team dotted around and we can't wait to see you!