Lockhart Tables Parliamentary Motion Celebrating 75 Years of Porter’s Fine Furnishings

Carla Lockhart MP • November 5, 2025

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament recognising Porter’s Fine Furnishings, Banbridge, as the family-run business celebrates an incredible 75 years in operation.

Founded by Mr and Mrs Porter in 1949, Porter’s has grown to become one of Banbridge’s most loved and respected businesses, renowned for its quality, customer service, and long-standing contribution to the local community. Today, the business continues under the leadership of William and Audrey Porter, who have carried forward the proud family tradition with the same commitment and care that has been its hallmark for three generations.


Speaking after tabling the motion, Carla Lockhart MP said:


“It was a real pleasure to table this motion in Parliament to mark 75 years of Porter’s Fine Furnishings. This is an incredible milestone for a wonderful family business that has become part of the very fabric of Banbridge.


Porter’s has made a significant contribution to our local economy, supporting jobs, enriching our town centre, and providing outstanding service to generations of customers. Their success story is built on hard work, dedication, and the enduring strength of family enterprise.


Knowing the Porter family personally, I have seen first-hand their warmth, commitment, and passion for what they do. It is only right that their remarkable contribution to Banbridge and beyond is recognised at a national level.


Congratulations to everyone at Porter’s Fine Furnishings. I wish them continued success and God’s richest blessings in the years ahead.”


Early Day Motion 2032: 75th Anniversary of Porter’s Fine Furnishings, Banbridge


That this House congratulates Porter’s Fine Furnishings in Banbridge on celebrating 75 years in business; pays tribute to the founders, Mr and Mrs Porter, for establishing a trusted family-run enterprise that has served the people of Banbridge and beyond since 1949; recognises the current owners, William and Audrey Porter, for continuing this proud tradition with dedication, excellence, and commitment to customer care; acknowledges the vital contribution the business has made to the local economy and community life; and wishes the entire Porter family and staff every continued success for the future.



Share

By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Carla Lockhart MP has reaffirmed her calls for the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to continue taking urgent steps to restore public and industry confidence, following a number of deeply concerning and widely reported incidents.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed confirmation of a sharp rise in egg consumption across the UK, but warned that Northern Ireland’s dysfunctional planning system is preventing local producers from capitalising on this growing demand.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed Education Minister Paul Givan MLA’s announcement that the Lurgan College School Enhancement Project will now progress to construction stage, describing it as a major milestone for the school and wider community.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has opened the Hope 4 M.E & Fibro Exhibition at Millennium Court, using the event to highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, improved support and better services for those living with Fibromyalgia, M.E. and Long Covid.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed pupils from Ballydown Primary School, Banbridge, and Clounagh Junior High School to Westminster this week, describing the visit as a fantastic opportunity for young people to experience Parliament first-hand and engage with politics at the heart of government.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said she voted this week against the Government’s Carry-Over Motion on legacy legislation because she could not support measures which leave those who served in the security forces exposed while terrorists and those who backed them seek to rewrite the past.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has once again shown her support for grassroots community initiatives by taking part in the Waringstown Big Spring Clean-Up, organised by the Well Kept Waringstown group as part of the wider Live Here Love Here campaign.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the success of another coffee morning hosted by Fibro Friends Banbridge, praising the group’s growing impact in supporting those living with Fibromyalgia and ME.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the tremendous community spirit on display at Ballytyrone Orange Hall after attending its hugely successful Bellybuster Fry fundraiser.
By Carla Lockhart MP April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed landmark legislation to recognise British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language in law in Northern Ireland, describing it as a major breakthrough for rights, inclusion and accessibility.