A business in Windermere has been celebrating 20 years of varnished success this week.

Windermere Woodsmiths was originally established by Andrew Smith in 2004, after serving his apprenticeship at a small cabinet maker in Bowness.

The past two decades have seen a mix of good and bad years, particularly during a pandemic that saw countless businesses suffer, but Andrew now believes that things are looking stronger than ever.

He said: "Initially specialising in free standing bespoke furniture, we quickly gained a reputation for designing and creating high end bedroom furniture and commercial installations, including bars, receptions, spa refits, changing rooms and shop fits.

"This has led us to work with numerous local businesses and we have also been lucky enough to work with the National trust and Manchester City Football Club."

The Westmorland Gazette: Every project is new and varied for Windermere Woodsmiths, including this cinema roomEvery project is new and varied for Windermere Woodsmiths, including this cinema room (Image: Andrew Smith)

Some of the businesses they have partnered with include Ambleside Salutation and Spa, The Old England, The Daffodil, Lakeland Gardens, Cedar Manor, Windemere Marina Village, Baha, Fizzy Tart, Holbeck ghyll, Ambleside Townhouse, and The Flying Pig.

"All the time we continued to work on domestic projects from kitchens, bedrooms, studies, hideaway beds, jewellery boxes and smaller free standing furniture pieces.

"Although we specialise in bespoke furniture and large cabinet installations, we also produce a lot of architectural joinery and bespoke mouldings all manufactured and finished on site in our Windermere workshops."

For Andrew, it is now a matter of building upon the last few years of success as the business looks to the future.

The Westmorland Gazette: The business has started creating garden buildings like this one in recent yearsThe business has started creating garden buildings like this one in recent years (Image: Andrew Smith)

He added: "In the last few years, taking all of our experience and skill, we have side stepped slightly into bespoke garden buildings and property renovation – recently completing a six-year renovation and restoration of a local convent.

"Moving forward we are wanting to continue designing, manufacturing and installing lots more bespoke furniture and joinery, and hopefully some more property renovations!"