A Northwest bed and mattress retailer has been named ‘Outstanding Family Business’ of the year at one of Cheshire’s most respected business ceremonies.
Land of Beds, which has been helping people across the region sleep better since 1974, picked up the High Sheriff’s Award for Enterprise at an evening hosted at Churchill House, the University of Chester’s Business School, on 19 March 2026.
The award, sponsored by EMR and judged by senior Cheshire business figures, recognises family-led businesses that have delivered real economic and community impact. Land of Beds beat a strong field to take home the prize, and for Managing Director Mike Murray, it’s deeply personal.
“This one really means a lot to us. My grandfather started it, my dad grew it, and now I get to carry that forward. Being recognised right here in Cheshire, the place we’ve always called home, is just brilliant. I’m so proud of the whole team.”
Harold Murray opened a small furniture shop in 1974. His son Mike Snr expanded the business and now Mike Jnr has modernised operations and took it online.
That family continuity runs through everything Land of Beds does. Staff loyalty mirrors it, with some team members having been with the business for over ten years. Customers clearly feel it too, rating the business 9 out of 10.
The business has grown steadily and sustainably, employing over 40 people across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. Sixty percent of sales now come through online channels, but the personal touch that defines a family business remains front and centre. The Land of Beds Academy trains every member of staff to become a genuine bed and mattress expert, with factory visits and ongoing development built in.
That commitment extends well beyond the shop floor. Land of Beds supports local charities like Claire House Hospice, local schools, grassroot sports teams, and bed poverty initiatives, and has partnered with a local GP and a national sleep physiologist on research into menopause and sleep health.
The business also sponsored 12 marathons through the Actuate Global challenge, helping to raise £50,000 for brain tumour and motor neurone disease charities, causes that have touched local families directly.
“This latest win adds to a trophy cabinet that already includes recognition in The Parliamentary Review, alongside multiple recent industry finalist spots,” the retailer added. “Not bad for a family that started with a single shop and shows no signs of stopping.”
