Manufacturer Focus: Burley

Burley Appliances were established after John Barson decided that after a twenty year career with two large electrical appliance manufacturers that it was time to strike out on his own. At this time, in 1975 Burley Appliances consisted of John Barson and just a few electrical components.
With just £5 in 1975 (the equivalent of £27.85 today) John Barson commisionned his first three wrought iron-basket designs. It took him all day to assemble his first electric fire. The very next day he drove to Leicester with his newly completed fire and sold it, things looked promising but production would need to increase to save himself and his family from starvation!

The first of several turning points came when John visited the electrical buyer at Harrods. Returning with an order for 12 fires, from here there was no looking back. John took on his first employee and found a bigger garage. John’s son and daughter, after leaving school, also joined the Company.

The major breakthrough came in 1981 when Burley became an approved supplier to the Northwest Electricity board and within 3 years supplied around 900 outlets of all the UK electricity boards.

The next major development was when Burley produced the Empingham model, this electric was the first electric fire that could be freestanding or inset and is still on sale today! HERE
Throughout the 1990's Burley continued to expand, highlighted in 1998 when they introduced the UK's first flueless gas fire.

This expansion continued into the 21st Century with Burley aquiring Straxgas, Navitron and Magiglo brands and with John's son Steve succeeding his father as managing director in 2002 the company has gone from strength to strength.

You can find the full range of high-quality Burley Appliances on Fireplace Supermarket