Barlow Blinds: Awards, Accreditations & Recognition
Recognition You Can Trust
Trust isn’t something you print on a brochure. It’s something you earn in living rooms, showrooms, and chilly winter mornings when a well-fitted blind keeps the warmth in. Since 1887, five generations of our family have been building that trust across Leicester. Here’s how that legacy shows up today.
Last updated: 7 November 2025
Headline Achievements
BBSA Excellence Awards (2024)
- Winner: Best Use of BBSA Assets – For our energy-saving awareness campaign that helped homeowners cut heating bills using blinds, powered by BBSA + University of Salford research.
- Highly Commended: Best Marketing – For our Knowledge Centre: a no-pressure, straight-talking library of blind advice.
- Finalist: Best Showroom – For the UK’s first fully mobile shutter van, sparked by one customer’s sleepless nights.
Entrepreneur Circle National Awards (2023 & 2024)
- Finalist: Best Marketing, Best Family Business, and Best Customer Service
- Host: Dara Ó Briain (yes, that Dara) in 2023 and Hugh Dennis in 2024
Which? Trusted Trader (since 2017)
- Independently assessed. No fluff. Just solid, honest service.
- Two-time UK Trader of the Month
- For our Knowledge Centre (education-first approach)
- For our Mobile Shutter Van (bringing solutions to your street)
British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA)
- Long-time member. Our MD Phil Coleman even helped shape the industry’s only official NVQ and is the 3rd generation of the Coleman family to be selected to sit on the BBSA Management Committee.
Public Sector Approved
- Trusted supplier for Leicester City & Leicestershire County Councils
135+ Years of Leicester Manufacturing
- Still here. Still making blinds the right way. Still using tested UK components.
Timeline of Recognition
2024
- BBSA: Winner (Best Use of Assets), Commended (Marketing), Finalist (Showroom)
- EC Awards: Finalist – Marketing, Customer Service, Family Business
- Which? Trader of the Month x2
2023
- EC Awards: Finalist – Best Marketing (Knowledge Centre)
2017
- Achieved Which? Trusted Trader Status
Need confirmation letters or certificates? Just ask.
Our Accreditations
- Which? Trusted Trader (since 2017)
- Member: BBSA
- Approved by: Leicester City & Leicestershire County Council
- Health & Safety trained, DBS-checked teams (in-house policy)
Projects & Proof
Reliable at Scale
- Over £1 million of blinds installed over 4 years for a major European property firm. Chosen for reliability and UK-made resilience.
We Test What We Trust
- Components from trusted UK brands, lifecycle-tested in real conditions.
Open Factory
- Want to see how your blinds are made? Just ask. We would love to show you how we do things and our team would love to meet you.
Community Matters
- Ongoing donations to Wishes 4 Kids tied to reviews and referrals
- Supporting local schools with fabric off-cuts for art
- Staff-led charity installs, we let our team choose where to give back
To us, recognition isn’t a trophy. It’s how we show up for the people around us.
Why This Matters to You
- Less Risk: Third-party checks (Which?, BBSA, councils)
- Better Results: Local, tested, trusted
- No Pressure: No commissions. Just family-run service since 1887
Frequently Asked Questions
What BBSA Awards have you won?
In 2024, we won Best Use of BBSA Assets, were Highly Commended for Best Marketing, and Finalists for Best Showroom.
What Entrepreneur Circle Awards have you been finalists for?
In 2023: Best Marketing. In 2024: Best Marketing, Best Family Business, Best Customer Service.
Are you a Which? Trusted Trader?
Yes. Since 2017.
Have you won any Which? Awards?
Yes. Twice named UK Trader of the Month.
Do you manufacture in the UK?
Yes. Right here in Leicester since 1887.
Are you approved to work with councils?
Yes. Leicester City and Leicestershire County.
How do these recognitions help me as a customer?
They reduce risk, show proven quality, and ensure you get blinds that last.
