[B]ritish mattress brand herdysleep have been shortlisted for two national awards at the Daily Express Home & Living Awards which take place in London later this month.
They are shortlisted in the Best Eco Living Solution category and the Best of British category. herdysleep manufacture British made and designed pocket sprung mattresses using Herdwick wool. The shortlisted company is a collaboration between lovable Lake District brand herdy and expert British mattress manufacturers Harrison Spinks.
Uniquely, herdysleep work directly with Herdwick sheep farmers and pay double the going rate for their fleeces. Co-founder of herdysleep Spencer Hannah explains the special relationship between Cumbrian Herdwick wool and the hand-crafted mattresses.
“Herdwick wool is infamously hardy, it has to be for the sheep to cope with the Lakeland climate. Often though the wool is left unused as it is coarser than other breeds’ fleeces, however it is a match made in heaven as a mattress filling. It’s renewable, hypo-allergenic, cosy and breathable.This is the first time in a long time that there’s been a growth potential and a large scale, proper commercial use of the wool.
While there are a number of credible projects around Herdwick wool processing and it’s application, including the remains of the British wool carpet industry using Herdwick, this is unique. It really celebrates Herdwick wool and applies it in a beautiful way. And herdy and Harrison Spinks, together, have created a business model that shares the future success directly with the upland fell farmer. We are very proud of the clear, genuine, transparent business relationship between commercial enterprise and the rural community.
The competition is fierce in both categories with national and internationally recognised brands also shortlisted. The G-Tech Air Ram and Eco Egg’s Laundry Egg are amongst those shortlisted in the Best Eco Living Solution category; Furniture Village and wallpaper and fabric designers Graham and Brown make up some of the competition in the Best of British category. herdysleep co-founder Darren Marcangelo talks about his feelings on being shortlisted
“Honestly, we’re delighted to have been shortlisted alongside such recognisably strong brands. It’s testament to everyone involved. From the craftspeople who make all of our mattresses by hand using time-honoured skills through to the Herdwick farmers who provide the fleece. It’s a joint effort and a marriage between modern thinking, contemporary design and traditional methods. Sustainability is key for us all and to have been shortlisted in two categories is a real boon for everyone at herdysleep.”
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which is being held in Covent Garden on the 26th October.
