What is popular Northampton businessman 'The Sofa King' doing now?

The businessman has launched a new venture in a new town centre location.

A businessman who used to be known as Northampton’s Sofa King has launched a new furniture gallery.

Mark Kypta was responsible for the hugely popular business - Sofa King - which was based in Towcester Road, Far Cotton for years, before moving to Weedon when internet sales took over the majority of the business.

The out-of-town showroom closed two years ago when Mark shut down the business to look after his father.

The company as a range of beds as well as sofas.

Now, the businessman, who has nothing to do with the Sofa King name anymore, has launched a new company based in Vintage Retreat in Lower Harding Street.

Northampton Furniture Gallery opened last week (April 12) and consists of hundreds of beds and sofas at discounted prices that can be delivered on the same day, as well as a vintage tearoom with outdoor seating.

Mark, who is also the general manager of Vintage Retreat, which has 120 traders, said: “I started off selling ex-catalogue furniture and then it literally took over the world.

“It started to compete with big names like DFS and then the business went mainly internet based.

There is also a retro room at the new showroom.

“I got rid of Sofa King to look after my dad two years ago, but I know the owner of Vintage Retreat and he has been talking for years about how something like Sofa King would work in his space.

“Sofa King is a completely different company and I have nothing to do with it anymore.”

The gallery has three rooms including a retro space, one for beds and one for sofas, but work is currently underway to expand and make the showroom even bigger.

This business venture, however, does not have an internet sales presence as Mark will focus on offering a face-to-face service, as well as a whole shopping experience.

Mark is also responsible for a vintage tearoom at Vintage Retreat, which has an outside seating area.

Mark added: “What you see is what you get and you can get it the same day.

“We have more than a hundred sofas in the showroom and you could spend two or three hours there.

“Since we opened last Monday it has been fantastic and really busy everyday since.

“It’s great to be back in the town centre and we regularly have 100 people through the door in a day.

“We’ve had a lot of people saying it’s like what Sofa King always used to be. Some people have even recognised me as ‘The Sofa King’ too.

“This will work, it’s what Northampton needs and it will make Northampton proud.”

Meanwhile, the former Sofa King building in Far Cotton has been given the green-light to be turned into 40 flats.

Search ‘Northampton Furniture Gallery’ on Facebook to find out more about Mark’s new venture.

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