Coronovirus Update

** UPDATE 5th JANUARY 2021 **

Our showroom is now closed due to current lockdown restrictions.

However we are available by phone, email or online chat to answer any questions you may have and are processing orders as normal. We are continuing to arrange deliveries as usual and are working with our delivery partners to ensure that all of our customers can safely receive orders from us. In most cases delivery will be arranged within our normal time scales (around 2 weeks for larger items of furniture).

Note that our furniture delivery teams are currently unable to offer their usual service of positioning furniture in your room of choice and unpacking it. Instead they will place your furniture inside your front door or in a hallway and leave it packed up. They will not require a signature but may photograph the items as proof of delivery. They can also provide a 'contactless' delivery as an alternative if you prefer, leaving your items outside.

17th MARCH 2020

I thought it important to provide an update and information on what we at Shimu are doing to minimise the spread of the coronovirus COVID-19 and any impact this may have on our customers and staff as we go about our business.

Suppliers and imports

Along with thousands of other businesses who import goods from abroad, the virus has already had some impact on what we do. The main factory  that we work with to produce our 'Chinese Classical' range of furniture has experienced delays due to carpenters and other workers being unable to return after Chinese New Year. However, most workers have now returned and the factory is now working on completing everything ready to ship with our next container. Assuming that transport and shipping space is available, we expect to be able to arrange shipping of this container within the next 2-3 weeks. We will keep any customers that have orders due to be shipped with this container informed of any change to this schedule as we get closer to the date. Please note also that all of our products are shipped in a sealed container and, with a shipping time of 6 weeks or more, there is no risk that the virus could survive on any of our products or packaging.

The situation with other factories and antique restorers that we use is varied, with some being back at full capacity and others not yet fully open. However, we have a very large stock of both antique pieces and reproduction furniture here in the UK, including pieces that arrived with two containers shipped shortly before the Chinese New Year holiday. You will find stock details or estimated restocking dates on our website for each product.

Whilst normally I would plan a buying trip to China myself around this time of year, we are able to select antique furniture from trusted suppliers that we have worked with for many years remotely. We plan to arrange a container of antiques in this way within the next couple of months, so if there is a particular item you would like us to source for you from our supplier network then get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Showroom Opening

Our showroom in West Yorkshire is now closed in accordance with government requirements. We continue to process any orders placed online or by phone as normal, with payment accepted via all major credit and debit cards as well as Paypal. See below for details regarding delivery during this time.

Our Staff

For the time being we are all working from home as far as possible, with calls being forwarded so that we can continue to provide our usual service. One of us will be at the showroom on a regular basis to dispatch orders. It goes without saying that any member of staff reporting symptoms of the virus will be sent home immedately to self isolate. We will continue to monitor government advice and guidance as the situation progresses and will keep you informed through social media and our regular email newsletter of any changes. You can sign up to our newsletter by entering your email address in the box at the footer below, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Deliveries

The government is allowing home deliveries to take place so deliveries of our products are still operating and our shipping partners are taking all necessary precautions to protect the wellbeing of their staff and our customers.

We use Parcelforce for smaller items and they will not now require customers to provide electronic signatures, or can leave a contact card if you are unable to come to the door. See https://www.parcelforce.com/coronavirus for more details of this policy. 

Our specialist furniture delivery company, who use two man crews to carry out delivery of our larger items, will be carrying additional materials, hand sanitiser and extra gloves where necessary.

During this time please note that, in order to minimise any risk of infection to themselves and to you, the delivery crew will not be able to provide their usual service of unpacking your furniture and taking away packaging. Instead they will deliver to your room of choice and ask you to keep a minimum distance of two metres away at all times. Rather than using their usual handheld devices, the drivers will be using normal paperwork so that you can sign with your own pen. Where it is deemed not possible or not safe the delivery team will sign the paperwork on your behalf.

If you absolutely need your furniture to be unpacked then please let us know. We will hold on to your furniture and have it collected ready for delivery at a later date when the full service can be provided.

If you prefer you can also request a contactless delivery for your furniture. The delivery crew will make visual confirmation through your door or window when they arrive. They will then leave any items on your doorstep rather than bringing them inside, taking photos as proof of delivery. If you would prefer to choose this option rather then the usual 'room of choice' service then please let us know when ordering by phone or online (you can leave notes during checkout) so that we can confirm with the delivery team. The service otherwise will remain the same so a confirmation booking will still take place. Note that if you do choose this option neither we nor the delivery company can be held responsible for any issues arising after the delivery has taken place.

Lastly, I wish all of you all the best at this difficult time and that you and your loved ones stay safe. If you have any questions about any of the above please feel free to get in touch.

James Cottrell
Director, Shimu