 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2022) |
 The main Sterling Furniture building | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founders | George Knowles |
| Headquarters | Tillicoultry, Scotland, UK |
Area served | Scotland |
| Products | Furniture |
| Website | www |
Sterling Furniture is a furniture retailler based in Tillicoultry, Scotland. It was founded in 1973 by Stirling-based furniture retailer George Knowles, who based its concept on the out-of-town retail developments which had been successful in the United States. He bought and converted a disused mill in Tillicoultry, making it the largest furniture showroom in Scotland. [1]
Knowles later expanded the complex to include a 'Homestore Outlet' and garden centre, and was involved in the development of the "Sterling Mills outlet centre" on land opposite the original furniture warehouse, which was formerly the base of Marshall Construction.
Their television advertisements, starring football commentator Dougie Donnelly have become part of popular culture, together with the phrase "Tillicoultry, near Stirling" (even though Tillicoultry is 10 miles east of Stirling). [2]
Sterling have stores throughout Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh (this store was branded as ‘Martin & Frost’ from 2015 to 2021, but was reverted to a Sterling Home store), Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness and Uddingston. [3]
After the death of George Knowles' son in 2003, [4] Gordon Mearns took over the running of the company. He has expanded the company's stores and profits. [5]
In 2016, Sterling acquired Glasgow-based Forrest Furnishing. It was rebranded as a Sterling Home store in December 2025. [6]
BoConcept store opened a concession store in the Tillicoultry in November 2021. [7]
