Britain’s artisan furniture makers have reported an extraordinary rise in demand for sideboards since the Olympics and are attributing it to Team GB’s success; in particular cycling gold medallist Bradley Wiggins
David Roberts, spokesman for The Association of British Cabinet Makers, told The Today Programme, “Talk about the feel good factor! It’s incredible. Demand for sideboards is through the roof since Bradley won and now it is the must-have piece of lounge furniture. Only seen in your Nanna's house in recent years he’s made them cool again with young professional couples our biggest spenders in the boom.”
And high street store John Lewis confirms the trend. A spokesman for the chain says, “It really is incredible. Until recently it was all coffee tables and bedside units but since the games our sideboard sales have gone just crazy with demand up an incredible 1324%. Waiting times on some lines have gone out to six months or more. My only regret is that show jumping horses are no longer called things like Sony Music Centre. Just think of the sales spike there'd be in our Hi-fi Department now!”
Lord Coe, architect behind the phenomenal success of Team GB and London 2012 said last night, “This is a welcome news indeed and pours cold water over those sceptics who had the temerity to ask what lasting benefit the games would have.”
