ONE of Abergavenny’s most popular and longstanding businesses has turned 50, and Graham Harrhy, the man who started it all way back in 1968 confesses it’s been something of a magical carpet ride.

In fact, if it wasn’t for a simple quirk of fate Harrhy Carpets and Beds would never have become an integral part of the town’s rich tapestry of unique and family-owned companies.

“It was Cyril Lord Carpets’ misfortune which was responsible for me setting up on my own,” revealed Graham.

For those of you not old enough to remember, prior to 1968 Cyril Lord was the main man in the world of textile floor furnishings.

Lord’s wall to wall luxury carpets was billed as, “This is a luxury you can afford from Cyril Lord.” Lord’s carpets revolutionized the family home in the UK and were a nationwide concern.

Way back in the swinging sixties a young Graham Harrhy was part of Lord’s carpet revolution and worked as a rep for the flourishing company.

Graham, now 82, recalls, “I come from farming stock out Trellech way but after growing up and working on the farm I fancied trying my hand at something different. And that something was selling carpets.”

Graham found a job working as a rep for Cyril Lord in the Chepstow area and things were going well. So well that he was offered a role as an agent with his own premises.

“In September 1968 I moved into where Headquarters the hairdressers is now based in Lion Street. I was excited about the future and everything seemed rosy,” recalls Graham.

Yet the world of commerce is an unpredictable beast and in the space of two short months, Graham’s world was turned upside down.

In November of that year Cyril Lord went bust and as a rep of the company, Graham was adrift at sea without an anchor or a friendly port in sight.

Graham told the Chronicle, “It was a very anxious time but throwing in the towel and walking away was not an option. You see even though Cyril Lord had stopped trading I was stuck with the shop. I had taken out a year-long lease. I had never imagined it would have come to this but a lesson I learned on the farm is no matter how bad things appear there’s nothing you can’t make better by pulling up your sleeves and getting stuck in.”

And that’s exactly what Graham did. It was an uphill battle but sheer hard work eventually won the day and made Harrhy a real name to be reckoned with in the carpet game.

Looking back Graham recalls, “The late 1960s were a very difficult and unpredictable time. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t nervous about starting out on my own. Back then in the carpet world, Cyril Lord was the biggest fish there was, but he wasn’t in business any longer and I was small fry in comparison. I was an unknown and no-one wanted to take a punt on me. It was extremely difficult to get accounts opened and at first, I could only deal with wholesalers. None of the manufacturers were willing to deal with me directly until I had established myself on a firmer footing.”

For the first three years, Harrhy Carpets was a one-man band but Graham’s the first to admit he couldn’t have done it without a lot of help from his late wife Beryl.

“I did all the buying, selling and fitting and Beryl took care of all the accounts and administration side of things.

“It was hard graft in the early years but being a farmer’s son I was used to that. I’d be fitting carpets in people’s houses up until midnight most days. You see I couldn’t go back the next day and finish the job because I’d have another customer to lay a carpet for.

“People didn’t mind having you in their houses all hours in those days because getting your own wall-to-wall carpet was something people really got excited about.”

After a few years of working around the clock and building the company’s reputation, manufacturers were willing to deal with Harrhy Carpets direct and it was a turning point for the company.

“That’s what transformed the business really.” Admits Graham. “Dealing directly with the manufacturers was a lot more cost effective and it gave us a lot more choice.”

With business booming Graham could afford to employ an extra hand. And with local lad Charlie Hatherall he had the best money could buy.

“Charlie was an excellent worker and superb carpet fitter,” said Graham. “His son Eddie worked alongside him for a few years and he was a valued employee as well. Those days were good but they were just the beginning. We now own the premises in Lion Street and the introduction of beds has proved massively popular. I know it’s a cliche but I can honestly say the company has gone from strength to strength.”

Harrhy Carpets and Beds is still very much a family affair. Graham’s son Richard is the Managing Director of the company and his other son Nick and daughter Vanessa are also directors. And in case you’re wondering who the company’s Manager is, it’s Graham’s nephew, Justin Harris, who’s been with the firm for 15 years.

“Keeping it a family-based company is important,” explained Graham. “Richard left school at 16 to join the family firm. Nick came into the fold a little later after a successful footballing career. Both Nick and Richie still lend a hand and fit carpets when things get busy and Vanessa works for us part-time and also teaches. Justin is my sister’s boy and completely dedicated to the firm. The important thing is that I know they’re all 100 percent dedicated to the company because it’s in their blood.

“I must also mention our carpet fitter Wayne Spender. Even though he’s not related he’s a valuable asset to us. He’s been with us eight years and we consider him part of the Harrhy family.”

Although Graham officially retired from the day-to-day running of the business 14 years ago after suffering a heart attack. He still maintains a keen interest and said, “I sometimes look at how the business has prospered and grown and feel quite proud that a simple farmer’s son from Trellech started all this. I can’t believe we’ve been in business for half-a-century. As it turns out Cyril Lord’s misfortune was my lucky break. But then looking back I think I’ve always been lucky. Lucky to have enjoyed so much support from people in the local area. In an area like this, any company who doesn’t believe in offering a quality and reliable service which provides good value for money isn’t going to last long.

“We’ve had children of customers who we fitted carpets for decades ago buying carpets of us for their own homes because they know we’re a brand who they can trust. To me, that’s the biggest compliment of all.”