A tradition of furniture-making has endured in North Yorkshire and traditional craft skills have been kept alive. Only a few miles to the east of Thirsk the Hambleton Hills can be seen rising to the North York Moors and the same view is framed by the windows of the Victorian maltings in which Treske has its factory and showrooms.

William Kelshaw Milnthorp built his maltings in about 1850 alongside the Great Northern Railway which had opened in 1841 a mile to the west of the town. The maltings was sold in 1895 and the last working owner was Fred Hudson.

The cast-iron pillars which supported the malting floors can still be seen in the building today, as can the high ceiling and tall windows in the room once used for the vats used to steep the malt, but which is now an airy furniture showroom.  Whenever boards are lifted barley from the old days can be still be found.

The building had multifarious uses from the 1920s until 1973 when John Gormley founded Treske and it became a furniture making factory. Since 2000, under the ownership of Justin Bartlett, the historic building and Treske's reputation for excellence have been in safe hands.

When Treske was founded, the first production designs were influenced by the Scandinavian furniture which was then popular.  Continental design from the twenties with its emphasis on materials, cubic and rectilinear forms and functionality is evident in the furniture today as was the American Shaker style which affected the design of some Treske classics.  The commissioning of leading British and international designers Dinah Casson, Vico Magistretti, Max Holba and David Colwell to add new pieces to the range and bring fresh ideas to staple items, resulted in the furniture being characterised by solidity and strong, simple forms which allow the beauty of the woods to shine through.

Treske continue to assess and refresh the range of furniture and designs on offer and have also updated the use of computer and other design technologies, to enable the quick and efficient turnaround of designs for customers.  Treske have also addressed environmental and ecological issues relating to the responsible and sustainable sourcing of woods and use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber.

Bedroom, living and dining furniture are displayed in other areas of the characterful building and special areas for the display and interpretation of new products and designs have been created in the roof space.  We look forward to welcoming you to share in our story.