Introduction
When you hear the name Harveys Furniture, chances are you picture stylish home furnishings, reliable service, and a broad selection of living and dining room collections. The brand has long held recognition—particularly in the UK, where its Lakeside store was one of the most talked-about branches. But what happened to Harveys? Are there still Lakeside locations open? And how does it compare to major U.S. retailers like Havertys Furniture lakeside and Ashley Furniture?
In this deep-dive article, we explore the history, rise, and fall of Harveys Furniture Lakeside, customer reviews, discontinued collections from both Harveys and Havertys, and how shoppers today can still find high-quality, affordable furniture—whether in the UK or in towns like Quincy, Illinois.
The Rise of Harveys Furniture Lakeside
Harveys Furniture once stood as a staple of mid-range furniture in the UK, known for its practical yet stylish designs across living room, dining, and bedroom categories. Among all its outlets, the Lakeside Retail Park location in Essex was a flagship, drawing thousands of customers each month.
Visitors to the Lakeside store often praised its well-organized showroom, curated layouts, and ease of access. It became especially popular for full-room displays that made home design feel achievable for everyday consumers. Shoppers could walk through real-life mock-ups of living rooms, dining setups, and even accessories—enabling a true feel for scale and style.
The Lakeside location served customers from Essex, London, and even as far as Kent and Hertfordshire, making it a shopping destination, not just a store.
What Happened to Harveys Furniture Lakeside?
In June 2020, Harveys Furniture UK went into administration. This unfortunate turn of events meant the closure of over 150 stores, including the Lakeside flagship. Like many retailers, Harveys struggled with the perfect storm of online competition, economic downturns, and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite attempts to restructure or find a buyer for the brand, most of Harveys’ locations were shuttered by the end of 2020. Customers with pending deliveries or warranty claims faced uncertainty, and the brand’s once-flourishing reputation was left in limbo.
The Lakeside store, along with others in Scunthorpe and Manchester, was either sold off, turned into clearance outlets, or permanently closed. Today, the physical and digital presence of Harveys Furniture in the UK is gone.
Harveys Furniture Lakeside Reviews: What Customers Experienced
During its prime, Harveys Lakeside received a variety of customer reviews—some praising the experience, others pointing out flaws.
Positive feedback included praise for the variety of furniture styles. Shoppers appreciated being able to find both traditional wood sets and modern high-gloss options under one roof. The helpfulness of the staff was also commonly mentioned. Customers noted that the sales team gave design suggestions without being overly pushy, which contributed to a relaxed shopping atmosphere.
However, in the final years—especially leading up to and during the administration process—customer complaints became more frequent. Common issues included long delivery delays, inconsistent communication from customer service, and problems with warranty claims. In some cases, orders placed shortly before closure were left unfulfilled, leading to frustration.
Overall, Harveys Furniture Lakeside left behind a mixed but memorable legacy—fond for many, frustrating for others.
The U.S. Equivalent: Havertys Furniture and Discontinued Collections
While Harveys dominated the UK market, in the U.S., Havertys Furniture occupies a similar mid- to upper-tier space. Founded in 1885, Havertys is known for its upscale yet accessible furnishings, with a strong emphasis on living room and dining room collections.
In recent years, some confusion has arisen online regarding Havertys discontinued living room furniture. While rumors circulated about major product line cuts, the truth is more nuanced.
Havertys regularly discontinues older collections to make room for newer styles, which is standard practice in the industry. Collections such as “Carlyle” or “Metro Classic” may no longer be available, but they’ve simply been replaced by more contemporary offerings.
That said, many customers have expressed disappointment when trying to purchase matching pieces to a previously bought set, only to find the entire line has been retired. This has led to a secondary market for discontinued Havertys pieces through online marketplaces, consignment stores, and estate sales.
Still, Havertys continues to offer a wide variety of living room furniture, and the discontinuation of select lines shouldn’t be confused with a broader decline in the brand’s offerings.
Ashley Furniture: How It Compares
Another major player in the furniture market, particularly in the U.S., is Ashley Furniture. With massive nationwide and international presence, Ashley is known for being affordable and easily accessible.
Compared to Havertys and the now-defunct Harveys, Ashley Furniture typically appeals to more budget-conscious consumers. Their stores often carry a mix of ready-to-assemble furniture, full-sectionals, recliners, and modern designs at prices that undercut much of the competition.
That affordability, however, can sometimes come at a cost. Some customers report quality control issues, such as peeling faux leather or premature wear and tear. Others note delivery delays and customer service frustrations—especially during peak sales periods.
Despite these critiques, Ashley remains a go-to for many first-time homeowners and renters looking for attractive furniture without a heavy price tag. For shoppers focused on value over luxury, Ashley remains a viable choice.
Harveys Furniture Lakeside Dining Room Options
Among the most beloved categories at Harveys Lakeside was the dining room collection. Customers often praised the variety of tables, chairs, benches, and buffets available. From rustic oak designs to sleek high-gloss tables, the Lakeside location had something for every style and budget.
Matching dining sets with complementary sideboards and cabinetry were especially popular. For many UK households, a Harveys dining set became a centerpiece for family gatherings.
Today, former Harveys customers can still find second-hand pieces or similar styles through other UK retailers like Furniture Village, Oak Furnitureland, or DFS.
A Different Harveys: Discount Furniture in Quincy, Illinois
Interestingly, the name “Harveys Furniture” is also associated with a local U.S. furniture retailer in Quincy, Illinois. This Harvey’s Furniture (with an apostrophe) is not connected to the UK brand but has served the Midwest community for years.
This Harvey’s offers a distinctly local touch. With multiple showrooms and partnerships with top manufacturers like La-Z-Boy, Flexsteel, and yes, even Ashley Furniture, Harvey’s in Quincy offers:
Free delivery within 75 miles
Interest-free financing
Personalized customer service
In-store design consultations
Customers frequently praise Harvey’s in Quincy for its reliability, transparency, and wide range of pricing options. It stands as a trusted alternative to big-box chains, offering both budget and premium choices for residents in and around Quincy.
For those in the U.S. who mistakenly search for “Harveys Furniture Lakeside” thinking of the UK chain, this Quincy-based store often shows up in local results—proving how global brand confusion can arise.
Final Thoughts: Navigating a Changing Furniture Landscape
The world of home furnishings is evolving fast. What was once a brick-and-mortar-driven industry has become a hybrid of online showrooms, fast shipping, and custom orders. As we’ve seen with Harveys Furniture Lakeside, even beloved institutions can disappear almost overnight.
Meanwhile, brands like Havertys continue to evolve, updating collections and streamlining customer experience. Ashley Furniture remains a major player, offering affordability with trade-offs in quality. And Harvey’s Furniture in Quincy shows that local, family-owned businesses can still thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
So whether you’re searching for a once-iconic Harveys dining table, tracking down discontinued Havertys sofas, or simply trying to furnish your new apartment on a budget, it pays to do your research.
And that’s exactly what we do at Dwellmend.com—helping you make sense of the ever-changing world of furniture and home decor. From discontinued collections to hidden gems, we cover the stories and brands you care about.