Cornwall’s sleep specialists

The UK’s oldest independent furniture store champions premium mattresses.

The showroom on Clarence Street, Penzance might seem traditional, but Alfred Smith & Son has built one of Cornwall’s most comprehensive sleep centres through careful modernisation and shrewd commercial instincts. The oldest independent furniture retailer in the country, established in 1811, now spans four floors, showcasing premium bedding from manufacturers including Hypnos, Harrison Spinks, Relyon, Rest Assured, Silentnight and Enchanted House.

Following an extension fourteen years ago, the team increased their range of beds from leading manufacturers, creating what may be the West Country’s largest display of sleep solutions. The expansion demonstrates how traditional retailers can adapt without losing their core identity. Where many independent stores struggle against online competition, Alfred Smith & Son has invested in experiences that customers cannot replicate digitally.

The Harrison Spinks Diamond mattress exemplifies this premium approach, featuring 25,000 springs across multiple systems, including the award-winning Cortec Quad technology. Its seasonal design offers warming wool for winter and cooling cotton for summer months. Similarly impressive is the Enchanted House Llanhydrock, crafted from hand-teased Cornish wool, horsetail, silk and cotton with 2,000 traditional pocket springs.

Such technical sophistication requires knowledgeable staff who understand spring tensions, comfort grades and the complex relationship between sleep surfaces and spinal alignment. The company is now run by Alfred Smith’s great-granddaughter, Sue, and her husband, Marcus, ensuring continuity of expertise across generations whilst embracing modern retail practices.

The free delivery and installation service within Cornwall and a disposal option removes any barriers to purchasing a new mattress or bed. 

Many customers find that replacing an old mattress improves their sleep quality more significantly than costly bedroom makeovers. Alfred Smith & Son recognises this, positioning itself not just as furniture retailers but as sleep consultants.

Many of their mattresses are in stock, meeting modern consumers’ expectations for instant availability while still offering the personal service that sets independent retailers apart from larger chains. The result is a business model that honours its heritage while fulfilling contemporary needs. 

ALFRED SMITH & SON
01736 363134
31 Clarence Street
Penzance TR18 2NX
www.alfred-smith.co.uk