An Armagh based company who specialise in both Internal Window Furnishings and Outdoor Shading & Living Solutions, making your space ‘functional & comfortable’.
Avolon Blinds was started in 1988 by Tullysaran man, Paddy Corrigan, who had a focus on building a business which provided blind and curtain design and fitting services.
For the first 10 years, Avolon where based inside Armagh Business Centre before outgrowing the space and moving a short trip away to a bigger outside unit on the same premises.
Speaking of how he started the business, Paddy explains how helping out a family member in need initially sparked the idea: “It went from me, myself and a phonebook calling around different places and people and just getting the word out and that’s helped get us to where we are today.
“I had no experience in curtains and blinds when I first started out, my experience was mainly in office fit outs and joinery work but at the time I wanted something else to do.
“What initially gave me the idea was my brother bought a house and he needed blinds for it. He priced around and some of the quotes where crazy so I told him I’d give it a go at making them and it just started and grew from there.”
And grow it did, 37 years later, Avolon are one of Armagh’s most well established family-run businesses with 9 staff in total, including Paddy’s sons’ Ciaran and Martin, who play an integral part in the business today.
Paddy continues: “I never intended for Avolon to grow in the way that it has – all I wanted was something to do and make a few quid from. My plan was to have a job where I could talk to people and then go off and physically make something, and the business just fell into what I wanted nicely and now the boys play a key role in keeping things ticking”.
Avolon specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of interior blinds, curtains, shutters and headboards all designed and made in-house.
Ciaran Corrigan, manager of Avolon has worked in the business for over 20 years focusing on indoor interiors which he says are constantly changing to keep up with trends.
“Whether it’s because there’s more disposable income available or people are just taking more pride in their homes, there has definitely been big changes from I first started out. Back in the day, almost everyone wanted the same blinds fitted and now, everyone has different ideas and is inspired by something so rarely each job is the same.”
In 2007, the no smoking indoors ban was introduced in Northern Ireland with this legislation meaning smokers now had to spend more time outdoors with bars and restaurants starting to play a focus on making their outdoor spaces comfortable and adaptable for all weather.
With the introduction of the legislation, Avolon Outdoors was created when the team realised the demand for outdoor furnishings with the initial focus being on providing Awnings for the the Hospitality sector, before expanding their product range to parasols, glass rooms, pergolas and retractable roofs.
Avolon provides design to installation service on all outdoor products. Utilising uncovered and unused outdoor spaces throughout Ireland for all hospitality, commercial and residential needs.
Martin, who oversees Avolon Outdoors, explained how the rise in outdoor culture has allowed the business to grow into new avenues.
“Over the last decade, outside spaces have definitely become more of a social setting with people sitting and having their drinks outside if the setting is comfortable.
“Covid was a busy time for us, suddenly everybody was only allowed to meet up outdoors and bars and restaurants where quickly realising they needed to invest in their outdoor space to keep people around and since then, there is more and more demand to make outdoor areas attractive.”
Along with providing design and installation, Avolon also offer outdoor light and heating accessories to help make outdoor spaces functional all year round.
The team offer both residential and commercial services all over Ireland.
The team at Avolon have no signs of slowing down either with an exciting showroom expansion planned for the future. Located at their current premises, Avolon are hoping to improve the buyer experience by offering more displays, fabrics and samples to choose from.
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