G-Plan was a pioneering range of furniture in the United Kingdom, produced by E Gomme Ltd of High Wycombe. Furniture is the Mass noun for the movable objects which may support the human body (seating furniture and beds, provide storage or hold objects on horizontal The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located See also High Wycombe Western Australia High Wycombe (hai ˈwɪk
In 1943, during World War II, furniture was part of rationing in the United Kingdom; the Board of Trade set up the Utility scheme which limited costs and the types of furniture on sale. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Rationing is the controlled distribution of resources and scarce goods or services A small number of simple designs were available in oak or mahogany. This scheme ended in December 1952. This, combined with the Festival of Britain led to a pent-up demand for more modern furniture. The Festival of Britain was a national exhibition which opened in London and around Britain in May 1951
In 1953, Donald Gomme, the designer at E. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Gomme, decided to produce a range of modern furniture for the entire house which could be bought piece by piece according to budgets. Advertising was part of the plan from the beginning. The name was coined by Doris Gundry of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, and the furniture was advertised in magazines direct to the public. James Walter Thompson ( 28 October 1847 – 16 October 1928) was the namesake of the JWT Advertising agency and a pioneer Designs were available for several years so people could collect them slowly. All furniture was marked with the distinctive brand mark.
The success of G-Plan lead to E Gomme becoming one of the UK's largest furniture manufacturers, with profits increasing sixfold between 1952 and 1958 when it was floated.
Another part of the direct marketing was the showrooms where the public could see the furniture. There were small centres over the country, and "The G-Plan Gallery" in Vogue House, St. George Street, Hanover Square in London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom.
Donald Gomme left the company in 1958, perhaps the peak of the company's success. In the early 1960s the government introduced restrictions on hire purchase (the most common method of purchasing furniture), and in response to competition from Danish furniture the company intoduced a Danish tange (designed by Ib Kafod-Larsen which made the rest of the range seem dated, and Gomme lost their market leading position, though they continued to be a major manufacturer making innovative designs with a very well known brand name.
In 1987 the Gomme family – major shareholders in the company - decided to retire. They sold the business to the then directors, who, three years later, sold it to the Christie Tyler group of companies. In 1996 the Morris Furniture Group acquired the licence to make and market G Plan Cabinet furniture in Glasgow. The company, now based at modern offices near Melksham, Wiltshire, presently operates under the name of G-Plan Upholstry Ltd. Melksham is a medium-sized English town lying on the River Avon. Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye
Reference
- The G-Plan Revolution: A celebration of British Popular Furniture of the 1950s and 1960s, Basil Hyman and Steven Braggs. ISBN 1861543107
External links
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