WGB.L Share News (WGB)

(Sharecast News) - Interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank announced on Tuesday that its Morris & Co brand is collaborating with interior designer, architect and William Morris enthusiast Ben Pentreath.
The AIM-traded firm said the collaboration had produced an "innovative collection" of wallpapers and fabrics, describing them as "reinventing" William Morris's original designs in new and bold colourways, while remaining faithful to Morris & Co's traditional production methods.

It said the collection would be launched in September, and be named 'Ben Pentreath's Queen Square Collection for Morris & Co', referring to the London address of Morris & Co's original factory and showroom.

All wallpapers in the collection were surface printed, in a bid to retain the authenticity of production of Morris & Co's factory.

The fabrics would be screen printed for intensity of colour on cotton and linen cloths, to provide "the closest match" to cloth in archival Morris & Co pattern books.

"Ben Pentreath is one of the most respected and exciting designers in the UK and a devotee of William Morris," said chief executive officer Lisa Montague.

"It has been a privilege to work with him on this new Morris & Co collection, which has reimagined William Morris designs in an entirely innovative way whilst retaining the heritage production values of Morris & Co.

"The collection will launch in September this year and has additional relevance during the uncertainties of Covid-19 as its authenticity demonstrates the permanence of good design and the enduring appeal of the Arts & Crafts movement."

At 1452 BST, shares in Walker Greenbank were down 1.27% at 40.48p.