It’s from rugs to riches with the Harris dynasty

It may be modest in terms of size but is huge in terms of historical significance. On the site of the very first carpet store that Charles Harris opened back in 1951, the Tapi store in Peckham is very mindful of its roots, writes Yann Tear.

These days, the 31sq metres at 101 Peckham High Street are put to good use with interactive technology to help customers find the flooring they are after, rather than just housing heavy rolls of carpet, but it is also making a significant nod to the past with artworks depicting its origins.

It is almost a shop and a museum rolled into one.

Martin Harris, the managing director of Tapi and Charles Harris’ grandson said: “My father, Lord Harris, left school to take over the running of the family business when my grandfather died.

“He turns 80 this year and when, out of the blue, we had the opportunity to r-open our family’s first ever store, it felt like the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to my father’s remarkable career.”

The original C W Harris sign was revealed by the building’s current owner during renovation work.

As a former alumnus of a Harris Academy School, he was moved to contact Lord Harris’ office and offer up the historic item.

The subsequent opportunity for the family to go back to their first store was too good to turn down.

“It’s a really, really small space, so we decided to turn it into the most digitally advanced flooring store in the country,” said Mr Harris.

“People are initially taken aback when they walk into the Peckham store because it doesn’t look anything like your typical carpet shop.

“We engaged a local mural artist, Vic Lee, to design the storefront shutters and to create a standout piece of artwork inside that highlights the key moments of my father’s life and career.

“There’s also a visual timeline on the wall that tracks the Harris family journey from the first high street store in Peckham to creating Harris Queensway and starting Carpetright.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from customers who love the look and feel of the store.”

Lord Harris (Phil Harris) is the epitome of ‘rags to riches’ success.

At just four years of age, he showed signs of becoming an entrepreneur. He vividly remembers selling holly and mistletoe at the Half Moon pub in Herne Hill at Christmas for sixpence a bunch.

As a youngster, Lord Harris used to help his father on a market stall in Peckham, carrying rolled up rugs to and from the stall.

Unfortunately, he lost his father at 15 and left education while grappling with undiagnosed dyslexia. However, having a great aptitude for maths, he was able to help run the family carpet business.

Lord Harris would go on to transform his father’s market stall into Britain’s biggest carpet and furniture retail chain, Harris Queensway.

After an aggressive takeover, he went on to start Carpetright in 1989.

By 2007, Harris’ Carpetright business had 500 shops across the UK and was valued at £800million on the London Stock Exchange.

Harris left Carpetright after 50 years in business, selling all his shares.

He became known as one of the richest people in the country, a member of the House of Lords and a passionate supporter of charitable causes.

He wasn’t quite done with carpets and as a family with decades of experience, the Harris’ created a new brand called Tapi in 2015, headed up by son Martin.

Outside of the world of carpets, Lord Harris created the first academy school in London.

There are now 51 Harris Academy schools, with alumni including famous rapper Stormzy.

 

Pictures: The Harris Family