Alpha Furniture have helped thousands of churches and community buildings to find the right seating for the next generation.
Very often the team charged with co-ordinating the change has not (or could not) anticipate all of the factors. Alpha’s experienced team can help guide you identify the issues involved in the seating, both current and new.
Even leaving aside any red tape that may be involved, there are normally several user groups or individuals who all have their own set of priorities and sensitivities.
Whilst it is possible to borrow sample chairs of broadly varied type and features, it is best to at least agree on what the overall priority for new seating is.
For folk moving them, it may be weight and easy stacking. For folk never moving them, it may be comfort, features and options. Folk with a bad back may be after an ergonomic chair back shape. Others may be focussed on the ease of cleaning, and therefore for them it may be the fabric or finish. For leaders, it may be the look or what that it communicates. And for the treasurer it may be the price!
Of course, the poor soul tasked with co-ordinating the research needs to conclude before starting, that they’ll never please everyone! After all – we are all different shapes & sizes.
Common Issues – Practicalities
We find the seating issues commonly faced, whether anticipated or not are:
- Elbow room: Alpha does sell chairs of varying widths. However, width is normally a compromise between elbow room and banqueting performance and/or row capacity. Alpha can give folk the benefit of their experience with elbow room requirements. This is important when coming from pews for example. We can also discuss with you and any impacts on capacity or linking.
- Armchairs: It is notable that the average ratio for new congregational seating is still 10% with arms. We are an aging population though, so we at Alpha would anticipate this ratio to be climbing in future. Alpha can advise on the implications of arms on row length, stacking, cost and linking.
- Maintenance and cleaning: Most contract fabrics are remarkably easy to clean. All have a healthy ‘rub-test’ result also, compared with typical domestic fabrics. That said, Alpha can advise on standard fabric, water-resistant, faux leather, different rub-tests and spare seat pads.
- Linking: A very common misconception among new enquiries is around the necessity to link chairs. ‘I’m sure we have to link under Health & Safety’. Alpha can advise on linking, when to, ease, cost, pros & cons, ability to curve rows, etc.
- Floor protection. Alpha always ask what kind of floor new wooden chairs will be on before taking an order. Some floors will need protecting from e.g. bare wooden chair legs. Others may benefit by silencing a noisy floor, e.g. flag stones. Alpha will always check and advise, so that floor protection is specified when needed, but only when needed.
- Chair storage and moving: Of course, living with the stacking chairs also includes moving them and storing them if cleared. We have non-stacking chairs for those who don’t require flexibility. Our stacking chair range offers options that stack 3 high, all the way up to models that stack 45 high! We always listen to how the chairs are going to be used and the hopes of that use changing over the years. We can then advise on weight, stacking height, storage footprint, trolleys, dolleys and ease of stacking. Often we receive an enquiry because the wrong chairs were purchased only relatively recently, and are proving too heavy or insufficiently stackable. It is heart breaking to hear of poor advice or no advice having been offered from other chair suppliers.
- Book storage: As our main market is churches, Alpha has a huge range of chairs that offer optional book storage. Whilst this is a declining requirement (due to laptop-driven words/screens), a conversation around it is normally important. Most solutions do not affect stacking, but increasingly folk are buying book storage for some, rather than for all, of the chairs. Alpha can advise on pros & cons, cost, positioning and provision for a handful of individuals who would make use of this feature.
- Communion cup option: Again, many of our models offer optional communion cup storage, normally without affecting stacking. With the many years of experience Alpha have, we can chat over ways of serving and clearing for communion, which may benefit the whole conversation around storage provision.
- Acoustics: This is a complex, yet simple topic. Alpha can chat through the aspects to consider as much misconception exists in this area also.
Common Issues – Choice
- Red tape: Normally only an issue for our Anglican customers, although folk looking after listed buildings may also be familiar with this issue. Normally the ‘project coordinator’ will be doing the job for the first and last time, and may not be familiar with the red tape they are about to face e.g. from the Anglican authorities. Upholstery is the biggest source of expectations being un-met. At any time we are helping dozens of churches to navigate this tricky path. There is a right and a wrong way to approach your DAC on this matter. Of course the congregation need to be aware of what would be permitted before sample chairs are chosen – as expectations will need to align before sample chairs arrive for appraisal and comment!
- Cost: Most establishments will expect many years good service from their seating, and it is around durability that Alpha source their products. It is of course uneconomical to buy so cheap that the process requires repeating a few years down the line. Alpha can always explain the differences in costs between our products. We are committed to fair margins and pricing and acknowledge that part of the value one receives from Alpha includes our level or service, not least our free site visit and sample chair trials.
- Colour: We seldom end up involved in colour debate. That said, we can offer the benefit of our experience regarding mixing colours, practical shades, implications for users with dementia and what to coordinate/nod to.
- Wood or metal: At Alpha our early stage questions that are designed to prevent regret, include questions around congregation expectation and around weight, durability and aesthetic sensitivity. Of course, there are practical pros and cons to consider here also.
- Lead-time: With most models being made-to-order, lead time is often longer than folk anticipated. We therefore make lead-time clear at the start and we also recognise that re-ordering or new-build projects involve several contractors attempting to finish together and on time!
With Alpha Furniture you are in good hands, as you try to find the best product, colour, options, quantity and price to serve you for years to come without regret. Get in touch today to discuss how best to start your journey.
