Carronshore upholstery firm which started in garden shed marks 10th anniversary

Family-run company Fanatikool Ltd will take time to treasure the milestone – and catch their breath – following their busiest ever 12 months.

The enforced closure of pubs and restaurants has resulted in Fanatikool experiencing a “large surge” in demand during the pandemic for everything from stools to personalised optics as home bars grew in popularity.

Specialising in bespoke furniture for sport fans, the firm has sent handmade furniture gifts to customers from as far-flung places as Australia, Canada and the United States.

Fanatikool founder and life-long Falkirk Football Club fan Alex Comrie, 50, also works closely with his boyhood team, having installed the dugout and changing room seating at the Falkirk Stadium.

Business was so good in 2019, he moved Fanatikool into new premises in his home village’s North Main Street. However, he could not have predicted what was to come the following year.

Alex, who spent 25 years in the upholstery game before setting up his own company, said: “We’ve never been so busy.

“Covid-19 and lockdown saw us lose a lot of domestic and contract work in pubs, restaurants and hotels.

“We saw a large surge in home bars being built and created a range of products for this from bar stools, chairs and sofas to personalised optics.

“Our most popular service is the framing of signed football memorabilia, in particular shirt framing. We ship all over the world.

“We were having an open day to say thanks to customers and suppliers but, due to restrictions, it’s not happening until later in the year.

“We started in a hut in the back garden ten years ago after walking into a few football stadiums with samples made from, believe it or not, bed sheets made up into chairs and stools.

“We’ve come a long way in ten years and gone from strength to strength.”

Alex is supported by wife Linda, manager of the embroidery department, and son Sinclair, who has just started an apprenticeship with the business.

Fanatikool is also hoping to employ a full-time upholsterer “in the next month or so”.

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