It’s not what we make. It’s how we make it.
Yes, we design and install blinds. That’s the job.
But what really matters what separates us is how we go about doing it.
Every blind, every fitting, every promise we make is backed by more than 135 years of local craftsmanship, independent accreditations, and a way of working built on honesty, care, and constant improvement.
Industry Credentials
We don’t follow the rules. We help write them.
BBSA Member & Committee Leadership
We’re full members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) the trade body that sets the benchmark for safety, quality, and training for blind companies in the UK.
To be accepted, we had to prove a lot more than experience. Here’s what BBSA membership requires:
- A minimum of 3 years successful trading
- Full public liability insurance and employer’s insurance
- Documented health and safety procedures
- Proof of quality workmanship
- Transparent complaints handling processes
And unlike some trade memberships that are “pay to play,” this one’s the real deal. You don’t just sign up. You have to earn your place and maintain it.
On top of that, our Managing Director, Phil Coleman, serves on the BBSA Management Committee, a voluntary role where he helps shape national standards and training that affect the entire industry. That means we’re not just following best practice we’re actively creating it.
Which? Trusted Trader – Endorsed Since 2017
Which? is known for being tough. Their Trusted Trader scheme includes a visit or two by Ex Trading Standards professionals and they don’t hand out badges easily.
To be endorsed, we went through a full audit, including:
- Credit checks and business financial reviews
- Customer interviews with real feedback verified by the Which? team
- A detailed inspection of our complaints history
- Ongoing performance monitoring — including mystery shopping
- A signed agreement to uphold the Which? Code of Conduct
Which? is also one of the only schemes that offers independent dispute resolution a safety net for customers that holds us to account.
We’ve proudly held our endorsement since 2017, and have been recognised twice as Which? Trusted Trader of the Month not for sales, but for the things that actually matter: customer education, innovation, and service that goes beyond the expected.
ES-SO Approved Smart Shading Advisor
Phil is one of a handful of UK professionals certified by the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO). What does that mean?
It means our advice isn’t based on guesswork. It’s grounded in science, energy performance, natural light, and how your home actually functions.
Product Credentials
Chosen for performance, not marketing hype.
We don’t just pick materials that look good on a brochure. Every fabric, every fitting, is tested, certified, and selected for what matters long-term: comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and air quality.
- FSC® Bamboo Blinds – From certified forests. Lightweight, durable, and responsibly sourced.
- Recycled Eco Fabrics – Made from post-consumer plastics (one 20m roll = ~4,600 bottles, including ocean waste).
- OEKO-TEX® Certified – Fabrics tested for harmful substances so safe for your home, safe for your family.
- GREENGUARD® Certified – Low-VOC emissions = healthier indoor air.
- Made in Britain – Louvolite components used in our Vertical, Roller and Pleated Blinds, tested to last a decade, designed and manufactured in the UK.
- Tested for Sound + Thermal Performance – Keeps homes quieter and more energy efficient.
Company Credentials
Built on trust. Not targets.
- 🏣 Made in Leicester – Most of our blinds come out of our own factory. No outsourcing. No shortcuts.
- 🛡️ DBS-Checked On-Site Team – We know who’s entering your home. Every surveyor and installer is vetted and verified.
- 🤝 No Commission. No Subcontractors. – Our team is fully employed, fully trained, and fully accountable.
- 🔁 Kaizen Process – Tiny daily improvements in how we manufacture, fit, and serve.
- 🌍 Sustainability First – Reusing hardware, recycling packaging, and prioritising UK suppliers.
- ❤️ Community Commitment – Supporting local causes like Wishes 4 Kids and donating fabrics to local schools and creative projects.
Awards & Recognition
We don’t chase trophies but we’re proud of the ones that mean something:
🏆 BBSA Excellence Awards 2024
- Winner – Best Use of BBSA Assets (Winter Energy-Saving Campaign)
- Highly Commended – Best Marketing (Knowledge Centre)
- Finalist – Best Showroom (Mobile Shutter Van)
⭐ Entrepreneurs Circle Awards 2023–2024
- Finalist – Best Marketing
- Finalist – Best Family Business
- Finalist – Best Customer Service
🥇 Which? Trusted Trader of the Month — Twice
Recognised not for pushing product, but for educating and empowering customers.
What This All Means for You
Credential |
What It Guarantees |
Why It Matters |
BBSA Membership & Committee Role |
We help write the rules for quality and safety |
You benefit from the latest innovations, early |
Which? Trusted Trader |
Independently vetted and reviewed |
You’re protected by Trading Standards |
ES-SO Smart Shading Advisor |
Advice based on science, not sales tactics |
You get smarter, more sustainable options |
FSC® & Recycled Materials |
Responsible, certified sourcing |
Better for the planet — and your peace of mind |
OEKO-TEX® & GREENGUARD® Fabrics |
Health and safety certified |
No chemical nasties in your living space |
Made in Leicester |
Factory-direct control |
Consistency, speed, and zero runaround |
DBS-Checked Team |
Fully vetted professionals at your door |
Total confidence, total peace of mind |
No Commission / No Subcontractors |
Salaried, in-house team |
No upsells. Just honest advice and skilled work |
Bottom Line
We’ve built a business that’s obsessed with one thing: earning your trust.
We’ve invested in qualifications, team training, materials, and systems not for our own ego, but so you can feel confident from day one.
Because if you’re trusting someone to come into your home, fit something permanent, and stand by it for years?
You deserve to know they’re the real deal.
And now, you do.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
