The co-founder of a furniture firm that, at its peak, was one of Thanet’s largest employers, has passed away at the age of 86.
David Llewellyn was the managing director of reproduction furniture business Lexterten Ltd.
He and business partner David Duncan opened the firm in a disused Ramsgate church in around 1973- the same year Mr Llewellyn moved to Broadstairs with his family- using £1000 raised by putting up their houses as surety for a bank overdraft.
Initially employing five people to reproduce leather Chesterfield settees, they soon found there was a huge appetite for their wares.
The business expanded with factories at Pysons Road, Haine Industrial Estate and Richborough and dozens of shops across the country, including one in Ramsgate.
At its height, Lexterten employed some 250 people and was boasting a £4.5 million turnover by 1982.
The company won a double gold award for its exports and had consumer demand from as far away as Australia.
Staff were also responsible for a mid-80s restoration of interior furnishings of the Broadstairs and St Peter’s Council stagecoach which is now housed at the One:One Museum based at the former Hornby factory in Margate.
David Llewellyn floated the company on the stock market in 1987 and retired before 1990. The company stopped trading within the 1990s.
David was born in the East End of London on October 27, 1938. He and wife Linda had two daughters, Amanda and Samantha, and four grandchildren.
Samantha said: “He liked all sport and was a big supporter of Tottenham and Gillingham, which he held a season ticket for.
“He was very true to his East End background. He was very driven, always wanted to win and he always wanted a deal!
“After he retired he was involved with David Foley at the Chamber of Commerce, helping people to set up their businesses and investing in many ventures.
“In later years he was very involved with his grandchildren and went to every single cricket match my boys played.”
David passed away on August 16. He is survived by Linda, daughters Amanda and Samantha and his four grandchildren.
A service will be held on September 29th at Margate Crematorium at 1pm.
