Sofa Workshop

The sofa retailer who became an early pioneer in the direct-to-consumer market.

Invested in 1991, sold to MFI in 2002.

Andrew Cussins founded Sofa Workshop in 1985, opening its first store in Maidstone the following year.

As one of the first specialist upholstered furniture retailers in the UK, Sofa Workshop stood out for its extensive range of sofas and its bespoke service, catering to customers seeking high-quality, made-to-order furniture.

In 1991, Piper invested development capital, taking a significant minority stake to support the brand’s growth. Our partnership enabled the business to roll out additional retail stores, establish its own manufacturing capabilities, and, in 1998, launch a direct-to-consumer channel. This made Sofa Workshop an early pioneer in the shift to D2C.

During our investment, the business reached £35 million of sales and developed three distinct propositions—Sofa Workshop, Viva Sofas, and Sofa Workshop Direct—each tailored to different audiences and sold through targeted distribution channels.

In 2000, the business introduced concession ‘shop-in-shops’ within MFI stores, laying the groundwork for its full acquisition by MFI in 2002. By the time of exit, Sofa Workshop had grown to 35 standalone stores and more than 60 concessions.