Norman & Son Ltd is currently the oldest shop in Great Yarmouth and in 2020, celebrated its 200-year anniversary of supplying the local area and beyond with quality furniture. Established in Great Yarmouth as S. Norman and Son Ltd in 1820 and one of the oldest family run furniture shops in the UK, now on our eighth generation of family owners.
Simon Norman was born in 1795, and in 1814 became an apprentice to a cabinet maker Mr Fish. After serving his apprenticeship for 6 years he decided to start his own business in 1820. He opened up a workshop in a row in Blind Middle Street as a cabinet maker, upholsterer, decorator and undertaker. After Simon Normans death in 1878, his son, Simon Clover Norman decided to expand the business and brought the shop at 14 Market Place. At first he only occupied the first floor to sell his wares and later came to live above the shop. Business was good and when the new town hall was built he received the order to supply most of the furniture, which was all handmade, it is still believed some of the fittings are still in use today
After Simon Normans death in 1878, his son, Simon Clover Norman decided to expand the business and brought the shop at 14 Market Place. At first he only occupied the first floor to sell his wares and later came to live above the shop. Business was good and when the new town hall was built he received the order to supply most of the furniture, which was all handmade, it is still believed some of the fittings are still in use today
Simon Clover Norman married Elizabeth and had four sons, the oldest son, Simon William Norman, joined the business. Trade was good and in 1904 the family brought number 13 Market Place. In 1906 the two shops were rebuilt with a new shop front for display of the furniture. The workshops were going strong and for some years everything went well, then the First World War began, while the men went off to fight in the war, Elizabeth was left with a lady and a old french polisher, Mr Monks to run the shop during the war years.
When the war was over in 1919, things slowly began to improve and it was decided to form the business into a private company. Mr Simon William Junior joined the business in 1924, followed in 1926 by his brother Mr Ernest Edward Norman. In 1928, improvements began in the shop and a large yard at the rear was made into a new showroom for linoleum, carpets, wallpaper and paint. In the coming years , Mr Anthony Norman joined Mr Terence Norman in the business making it the sixth generation of the Norman family.
Normans celebrated it’s 200 year anniversary in 2020 and is still going strong serving Great Yarmouth and the surrounding areas.
Today Normans offers a wide range of affordable sofas, chairs, recliners, beds, mattresses, bedroom furniture, dining and living room furniture as well as much more, from a range of companies such as Alston’s, Buoyant, Celebrity, Limelight, Devonshire, Cotswold chairs, Kyoto and Lebus and many more, check out our brands above. Our knowledgeable staff can offer you help and advise you with any questions you may have, and our own two man delivery team will deliver and, in most cases, assemble your furniture in our local area *free of charge.
You will find us at, 13-14 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1LY You can find us on the Market Place in the centre of Great Yarmouth. If you are collecting purchases, our delivery bay is located, behind Great Yarmouth Police Station, use postcode NR30 1NA. Parking is available directly outside the store on the market place, so why not call in to see us – we are open 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday we’d love to see you!