A Chat With Abbey Group

Lisa Cannings, 48, lives in Romford, Essex, with her children Lavinia, 16, and Cameron, 13. She runs Abbey Antiques.

“When I was little, I loved sitting in the office of our family business, counting pennies and sealing them into envelopes. But in my teenage years, as I watched my parents struggle, the idea of running a business was my worst nightmare. Abbey Antiques dates back over 8 family generations. My German great great grandfather Herman set up in the early 1900s. He was a cabinetmaker and moved to the UK with his son, my great grandfather, Arthur, who became a respected cabinetmaker in Hackney, London. The business was passed down to my granddad, Eric, who expanded into selling antiques, exporting to America and Europe. Business was booming when my mum Anne and dad Eric took over in 1970. They had 100 staff and a big factory and showrooms in Dorking. But everything changed after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. The economic impact affected businesses all over the world, including ours. I was working in London at the time, working as a PA in the City. My life was glamorous – I was often out at some swanky bar after work and had a nice modern home which was a world away from the industrial estate and sawdust covered floor at Abbey Antiques. Dad had passed away at 40, so Mum and my brother, Lee, were running the business. I had no idea they were struggling until I went home and Mum broke down. “We have no money left,” she sobbed. “We have to fold the business.” Suddenly, I realised how important my heritage was. I vowed I’d do all I could to help. It was hard leaving my single life in London. But my family needed me and they came first. I quit my job in October 2001 and took over the day-to-day running of Abbey Antiques. We couldn’t even afford a computer, so I had to use an old typewriter to send out letters to potential clients along with the Yellow Pages for research. There was no money in antiques, but we could repair almost any kind of furniture. I came up with the idea of offering removal firms our services, repairing damaged items. We also began working with insurance companies. Before long, profits began rolling in. 21 years on and we have an annual turnover of £500,000. I’m proud I took over the business and I want to pass it down to my children. Now, when I watch Lavinia and Cameron counting pennies at the office, it makes me smile.”