'It was a simple beginning': Seymour Dugan reflects on 60 years of retail success and helping furnish Northern Ireland homes

When I look back at the story of Seymour Dugan Interiors, it is hard to believe how far we have come from our humble beginnings.

What started in 1966 as a small second-hand furniture shop operating from my family home and adjoining yard on Chapel Hill, Lisburn, has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s leading furniture, rug and carpet superstores.

The idea began when I spotted a gap in the local market. I started selling second-hand furniture and house clearance items from the entry yard beside my parents’ home and plumbing workshop. It was a simple beginning, but there was a clear demand from customers looking for good value furniture and a personal service they could trust.

Over the next 12 years, the business continued to grow and evolve. We moved from selling second-hand furniture into supplying new furniture and carpets, and before long we had outgrown the yard and the family home, which had been transformed into a showroom to keep up with demand.

The next step was expansion. I purchased a larger site just 50 metres from the original premises and built the superstore that Seymour Dugan Interiors trades from today at 42-58 Chapel Hill, Lisburn.

That move allowed us to create the one-stop shopping experience customers know today, bringing furniture, carpets, flooring and rugs together under one roof. While the business has grown significantly over the years, our values have remained the same – service, value and customer care.

After I retired from the business in 1994, my sons continued the family tradition, taking the business forward and developing Seymour Dugan Interiors, including Seymour Dugan Carpets and Flooring and Seymour Dugan Furniture. It has been wonderful to see the next generation continue the journey and maintain the standards that have always been so important to us.

However, I couldn’t quite stay away from retirement.

In 2002, I recognised the growing popularity of wooden flooring and how naturally it complemented rugs. That led me to extend the shop into the adjoining building and create the Rug Gallery we have today.

I finally retired from the business in December 2024, although I still enjoy calling in and lending a hand when needed.

Since 2005, we have also provided a professional carpet edging service, offering overlocking using wool or synthetic yarn and carpet taping with a wide range of cotton and synthetic tapes. This service supports both domestic and commercial customers throughout Lisburn, Belfast and much further afield.

As a family business, we understand the importance of looking after customers. Buying furniture and flooring is a major investment, and we want to make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Our furniture and bedding department offers a wide selection of beds, mattresses, sofas, dining furniture and living room collections, with finance options available to suit individual needs. Our professional delivery team ensures furniture is delivered and assembled promptly, with all packaging removed afterwards, giving customers complete peace of mind.

Our Rug Gallery on the first floor has become a destination for customers from across Ireland. With more than 2,500 rugs on display, we offer a wide choice of colours, styles and sizes to suit different homes and interiors.

Our carpet and flooring department remains a key part of the business, offering a range of products from everyday value options to the latest interior trends, including natural flooring, geometric designs, herringbone styles, bespoke carpets and cotton and leather bordered stair carpets.

Reaching 60 years in business is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. It would not have been possible without the loyalty and support of generations of customers who have visited us over the years.

From a small yard on Chapel Hill to the superstore we have today, the heart of Seymour Dugan Interiors remains unchanged. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new and continuing to help people create beautiful homes for many years to come.