Eighty years ago, in a modest shop on Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds, Jerry Glasswell and his son Leslie began selling second‑hand furniture with a simple promise: quality, care and an unwavering commitment to their customers.
Today, that small family venture has grown into East Anglia’s largest home department store, and a name deeply woven into the region’s homes and decors.
What’s remarkable is not just the scale of the success of Glasswells, but how rooted it remains in the same values that defined it in 1946. Now led by Jerry’s grandson, Managing Director Paul Glasswell, the business continues to champion craftsmanship, choice and that all‑important personal touch.
As Paul (pictured below) puts it: “We’ve grown, but we’ve never lost sight of what is important. Our team goes above and beyond for our customers, that’s the heart of everything we do.”
A Legacy Built on Style, Craftsmanship and Community
From exhibiting at local trade fairs in the 1950s to opening high‑street stores across West Suffolk, Glasswells has evolved alongside the homes it helps furnish. Its much‑loved branches in Haverhill and Saffron Walden still anchor the business to its town‑centre roots, while the flagship home department stores in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich offer a modern, immersive shopping experience.
Walk through their expansive showrooms today and you’ll find everything under one roof, from sofas and dining ranges to flooring, lighting and bespoke soft furnishings. With thousands of products available both in store and online, Glasswells is the go‑to destination for homeowners looking for stylish pieces built to stand the test of time.
More Than a Store — A Destination for Design Lovers
If you’ve ever needed a moment to rest mid‑shop, you’ll know that the Place to Eat restaurants in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich are a destination in their own right. Freshly prepared dishes using local produce, generous afternoon teas, and friendly table service make them a firm favourite with shoppers. Private dining rooms, seating up to 14, add a touch of exclusivity for meetings, celebrations or simply a quiet catch‑up.
For those seeking a little expert guidance, the professional interior design service offers a personalised, creative approach. Whether it’s a full home revamp or just a tricky room in need of inspiration, the team brings practical know‑how to every project.
Supporting Homes and Businesses Alike
The Glasswells story extends far beyond stylish living rooms. With decades of expertise in removals and self‑storage, the company has become a trusted partner for families on the move. Meanwhile, its commercial division supplies contract flooring and specialist furniture to businesses across the region, along with third party storage from its purpose‑built warehouse just off the A14.
This blend of domestic and commercial success is part of what makes Glasswells unique: large enough to offer comprehensive and competitive services, yet family‑run values ensure they care deeply about every detail.
Celebrate 80 Years in Style
To mark their milestone year, Glasswells is planning a 2026 filled with special events and exclusive birthday savings across every department, the perfect excuse to refresh your home.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Paul Glasswell says: “We’re enormously proud of our heritage. When we started, we were the newcomers among well‑established stores, but we worked hard to earn our customers’ trust. We’re still a local, family‑run business, and it’s thanks to our loyal staff and customers that we’ve reached this incredible milestone.”
Eighty years on, Glasswells remains exactly what it set out to be: a place that understands how we live, what makes a house feel like a home, and why quality and care never go out of style.
