Meet The Locals

This festive issue, we're talking to the owners of Decor Home Furnishings, Stephen and Magdalena!

Our business was born out of necessity when my wife (Magdalena) and I moved into our new home and couldn't find anything that was good quality, modern and affordable. So after a lot of researching my wife reached out directly to a manufacturer abroad. I was sceptical but the furniture turned up within a blink of an eye and was of such a good standard I was astounded. Naturally our friends and family saw our new purchases and before we knew it we were ordering for them....and so our business 'Decor Home Furnishings' was born. 

My wife and I made the decision (as most companies seem to be selling online nowadays) and we took a risk and opened up an actual showroom where people can come in to see examples of what we offer. Also, just as importantly, talk to us to get honest, unbiased advice. I don't know about you but if I'm going to spend my money on something as important as furniture, I want to see what I'm spending it on first (not just order something from a website and if it's wrong, then have to mess around with returning it etc). In addition, we also buy from the same manufacturers that the big named UK retailers purchase their items from. Because our overheads are much lower, we can sell the same products much cheaper. We're not talking about returns or damaged stock either...it's all brand new products, made for you and delivered directly from the manufacturer.

Once we have the orders at our showroom they are checked and sent out directly to the customer. We offer a genuine free delivery service within 20 miles of our showroom with a charge of £40 up to 40 miles away. We collaborate with an independent furniture assembly company that offer discounts through us for those that feel the need for help with building their purchases. We also work with Boxes of Hope, so if you have something you wish to donate to make space for your new purchases, as long as it falls within their parameters of what they can accept we will pass your unwanted furniture on to them.

So far the response has been fantastic considering we have only just opened! With comments such as, "We didn't even know furniture like this existed", "Your prices are amazing, are you sure they're right?", "I love everything in here!" and "we didn't even come here to buy but now we're going home to measure and we'll be back!" with customers waiting for us to open the next day and scrolling through our 500+ products.

Also we've tried to do things a little different and be incredibly environmentally conscious so we don't have catalogues in our showroom, we have a touch screen kiosk for customers to come in, scroll through and place orders if they so wish.

All in all we're trying to make the entire process as easy and as stress-free as possible. We're family run and family owned and we just want to bring back that level of customer service that seems to be slowly dissipating these days. 

Our details are: Decor Home Furnishings
Unit 5, Avalon Business Park, Avalon Road, Kirton, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE20 1QR.

We're open 10-4 every day apart from Monday. Our website is www.decor-home.co.uk, Telephone: 01205 21244.

How do I keep my Christmas spending under control?

My children love Christmas and they’re already picking extra treats off the shelf when we go shopping, and telling me what presents they want. I really want to make it a special time for them, but times are tough and I can’t help worrying about overspending and getting into debt. What can I do to manage my finances during the holiday season, and where can I turn if I find myself struggling?

The festive season can be a financially challenging time, and often borrowing money or using a credit card to fund Christmas can seem like your only option. But there are steps you can take to keep your spending under control and avoid falling into debt.

The first thing to do is make a budget and stick to it.

Consider who you're buying gifts for, what other seasonal expenses you have, and how much you can realistically afford to spend. Always keep receipts, or ask for gift receipts, in case you overspend and need to return something. And remember that household bills may be higher during this period due to colder weather and spending more time indoors.

If you've built up debt, please don't ignore bills or letters. Speak to the organisation you owe money to, as they may let you pay smaller amounts.

Pay 'priority debts' first, like rent, mortgage arrears, council tax, and energy bills. For other types of debt like credit cards or loans, gather all the information on what you owe, create a budget, and contact your creditors to set up an affordable repayment plan. This might seem scary, but it’s an important first step.

If your budget just doesn’t add up and you need help to afford essentials like bills and food, see what cost of living support is available on the Citizens Advice website.

It’s especially important to check if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which will now only be paid to those who receive Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. If you make a claim for Pension Credit by 21 December, you might still receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

If you do find yourself struggling financially during or after the holidays, don't panic. Support is out there, and Citizens Advice can help you understand what’s available. We’re here to help you find a way forward.

If you need support or advice, you can contact Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire on 08082787942. Alternatively, you can email your query to: outreach@citizensadvicemidlincs.org.uk or attend one of our face to face drop in sessions.

For information about our service, drop in opening times and how we can help you, please take a look at our website www.camidlincs.org.uk

If you would like to support Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire, you can do so by scanning the QR code. Your donations will allow us to continue to help more people within our community.

Kirton Church Fund

Congratulations to both our winners who have both had previous wins.

Numbers are always well mixed up and winners are drawn after our Sunday service on the last Sunday of each month by members of the congregation while having coffee. However our December draw will take place on Sunday 22nd December so there is still time to join the Kirton Church Fund monthly draw in time for Christmas. Wouldn’t a Christmas win come in handy?

Anyone over 18 may take part. Just give Fay a ring for a registration form (01205 723529) or collect one from the back of church or from Paula’s Gifts at the bottom of Station Road.

You can of course join at any time during the year. Each number is £5 per month. This can be paid £60 annually, £30 for 6 months and £15 for 3 months. You can of course pay the £5 monthly if you wish. The price of the numbers hasn’t changed at all since the Kirton Church Fund started in June 2012. I can’t think of anything else that hasn’t gone up in price in the last 12 years! Do let me know if you can!

The prize fund each month is 1/4 of the money taken each month. The rest of the money currently goes into our Roof Appeal Match Funding to enable us to get grants for the up–keep of our beautiful church building.

The more people that join the higher the prize fund and the more money we raise for the church.

The November draw winning numbers will be printed in the next Kirton News magazine which is in February. The winning numbers for December will also be printed in the February magazine.

For more information about the Kirton Church Fund, please give Fay a call on 01205 723529.

As this is my last report of the year I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and also send my very best wishes for a happy, healthy and especially lucky 2025.

October 2024 Winners

1st PRIZE - £49.69 - TICKET NUMBER: 103
2nd PRIZE - £16.56 - TICKET NUMBER: 85

Data protection. All information (name, address and phone number) of Kirton Church Fund members is held solely for the purpose of managing Kirton Church Fund and is not passed on to any other organisation or used for any other purpose.