If you stayed with us at The Pop-Up Hotel during the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, chances are you sat on a chair, leaned against a bar or admired a piece of furniture with a very British story behind it.
Meet Andy Thornton. Our furniture partner and a proud champion of British manufacturing.
For more than 50 years, Andy Thornton has been creating contract furniture and architectural metalwork for the hospitality industry. Since 1975, they have built a reputation for producing great-looking, hard-wearing pieces for ambitious hospitality venues across the UK and beyond. Restaurants, bars, hotels and now even a trackside hotel at one of the world’s most famous racing circuits.
Like The Pop-Up Hotel, they are a British brand built on craftsmanship, flexibility and a bit of creative flair.
From a Victorian Warehouse in Yorkshire
Andy Thornton operates from a huge Victorian warehouse in Halifax, Yorkshire. Step inside and you will find a place where traditional skills meet modern hospitality design.
Metalworkers, upholsterers and craftspeople work side by side producing architectural metalwork and bespoke furniture for venues that want something a little more special than off-the-shelf fittings. Their workshops are the heart of the operation, allowing the team to customise pieces, adapt designs and respond quickly when hospitality operators need something unique.
Not everything is made under their roof. Andy Thornton also collaborates with a network of trusted British and international manufacturers. The result is a sourcing and production network that blends local craftsmanship with global expertise.
It is very much a best-of-British approach. Skilled trades, thoughtful design and a practical mindset that gets the job done.
Built for Hospitality. Built to Last.
Hospitality furniture has to work hard. It needs to look good on day one and still stand strong years later, after thousands of guests, busy service, and the occasional celebratory spill.
Andy Thornton understands this better than most. Their contract furniture is designed specifically for hospitality environments where durability matters as much as design.
From bars and seating to custom metalwork and storage solutions, everything is built with real venues in mind. Their Yorkshire workshops also allow for in-house customisation and finishing, meaning projects can be tailored to each space.
They even run their own fleet of vehicles, which means deliveries can be flexible and responsive when projects move quickly. Something we know a lot about when building a luxury hotel in a field next to a Formula One circuit.
A Love of Heritage
There is another side to Andy Thornton that makes them especially interesting.
Alongside manufacturing, they also source and restore architectural antiques. Think huge timber shop fittings, panelled bars and historic interior pieces that carry decades or even centuries of character.
Many of these pieces are carefully restored and reintroduced into modern hospitality spaces, giving venues instant atmosphere and authenticity.
It is craftsmanship with a sense of history.
British Craft Meets British Motorsport
The connection between Andy Thornton and The Pop-Up Hotel feels fitting.
The Pop-Up Hotel is a British brand that was born at Glastonbury before heading trackside to Silverstone. Andy Thornton is a British manufacturer who has spent half a century crafting furniture for hospitality venues across the country.
Both are built on creativity, adaptability and a hands-on approach. And both understand that great experiences are created through thoughtful design and attention to detail.
At Silverstone, the home of British motorsport, it felt right to work with a partner that shares that same spirit of British ingenuity.
Fast cars. Big crowds. And beautifully made furniture that can keep up with the pace.
Booking for 2026: Early Bird Is Live (Limited)
For a strictly limited number of rooms, we are guaranteeing 2025 prices for the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
- Up to 30% saving vs. final 2026 rates
- Secure your room with just a 25% deposit
- Dynamic pricing: rates will rise over time, so book early to lock in the best price.
Pro tip: Sprint weekends sell out fast! If you want the inside track, an unrivalled vantage point, plus three days of must-watch sessions, grab your spot now.
