The Biz Network welcomes Davis Blank Furniss

For almost 150 years, solicitors Davis Blank Furniss has been woven into the fabric of Glossop.

From its founding in 1877, through generations of families, businesses and changing legal landscapes, the firm has remained rooted not only in the town’s history but in its people. Today, as the firm continues to expand its reach across Manchester and the wider region, its identity remains firmly tied to its origins - and, increasingly, to the modern business community growing around it.

We sat down with Richard Hamilton, a partner, to explore what makes this Glossop business unique, why community still matters in a digital age, and why their newly strengthened partnership with Not Really Here Media, the Glossop Business Awards, and The Biz Network represents the next chapter in a long-standing story of local commitment. 

Richard begins with a sentiment that sums up the firm’s philosophy: “We see supporting the community as part of our moral obligation.”

While every law firm needs clients to survive, he explains, the relationship between Davis Blank Furniss and Glossop goes far deeper. Many of the firm’s staff live in the town. Their children attend local schools. They shop on the high street. And, crucially, their clients see them not just in the office but in the street, the cafés, and the football pitches.

This visibility, he says, creates accountability: “If you’re a lawyer in Manchester, you can be anonymous. Out here, you’re part of the community. People know you. They recognise you. That culture shapes who we are.” And for the business, that connection also creates opportunity. Many Glossop residents work in Manchester’s business and corporate sectors meaning local relationships often evolve into commercial relationships. It’s an ecosystem the firm has long understood and embraced.

Glossop Roots - Manchester Strength

The firm’s unique structure is, Richard says, its “secret weapon.” Operating as both a full-service high-street office in Glossop and a corporate legal practice in Manchester, Davis Blank Furniss can serve individuals and families locally while offering business clients a deep bench of commercial expertise. “There aren’t many firms who can do what we do in Glossop” Richard explains. “Most will specialise in one or two areas. But we can bring in experts in corporate law, commercial property, and litigation - all while maintaining a local, personal presence.”

This combination of local approachability with city-level capability continues to set the firm apart as the regional landscape evolves.

A Culture Built on People, Stability and Trust

When asked to describe the firm’s culture, Richard immediately turns to its people.
Davis Blank Furniss has long prided itself on recruiting the right people and trusting them, rather than over managing. The result? A workforce with extraordinary longevity.
One staff member recently celebrated 55 years with the firm having joined at just 15. Many others have clocked 25, 30 or even 40 years of service.

Longevity, Richard says, is the truest sign of a healthy culture. “If you get the culture right internally, that radiates outwards. Clients feel it. They see we’re approachable, friendly, straightforward.” 

The Davis Blank Furniss strapline “Traditionally Original” embodies this balance: rooted in long-standing values while embracing modern expectations around communication, technology and client care.

Why the Business Has Become More Visible in Glossop

Over the last 18 months, many in Glossop have noticed more of Davis Blank Furniss - not through flashy advertising, but through selective, meaningful partnerships. Richard confirms this is intentional: “We decided a few years ago that we wanted to remain independent. To do that, we needed to grow our reach - especially in Glossop, High Peak and Tameside. Our strategy is to be involved in the right things, not everything.”
 
That strategy includes:

• early involvement in Heritage Weekends and local music festivals
• sponsorships with local sports clubs
• partnerships that help elevate local businesses
• a growing reputation for thoughtful, subtle visibility including the now-famous Glossop roundabout advert board.

Every Christmas, the Glossop Office donates that board to Glossopdale Foodbank, raising awareness when support is most needed. This year, part of the space will also be given to a new community sports facility in Gamesley another example of the firm quietly amplifying local causes.

A New Chapter: Partnership with Not Really Here Media

The firm’s evolving relationship with Not Really Here Media marks a significant cultural moment. What began with a single business podcast appearance has grown into:
• sponsorship of the Glossop Business Podcast
• involvement with the Glossop Business Awards
• becoming one of the founding partners of The Biz Network, a new initiative supporting SMEs, start-ups and grassroots entrepreneurs.
 
Richard sees this new partnership as an extension of the company’s long-held belief that law firms must provide more than legal advice. “It’s all about added value,” he says. “A good solicitor doesn’t just do the job, they help clients make connections, understand the bigger picture and grow. If we can support new or small businesses from early on, that becomes a relationship for life.” 

The Rise of the Davis Blank Furniss Podcast

Another symbol of Davis Blank Furniss’s modern approach is its increasingly popular podcast, which now covers a wide range of legal topics in a relaxed, accessible way.
“We wanted to do it for years,” Richard admits. “But you need the right people. Now we’ve got a team who really enjoy it experts who are comfortable in front of the microphone. Once we realised, we could do it well, we leaned in.” 

Listeners can pick topics that matter to them from family law to commercial property and the firm plans to expand output throughout 2026.

Giving Back Without Grandstanding

Beyond podcasts and partnerships, the firm continues to invest quietly in community giving.

This includes:

• regular donations to local schools
• long-term support for charities across Glossopdale
• sponsorship of grassroots sports
• responding to local community needs as they arise

Richard describes Glossop as the place where the firm can “make a real difference,” even as it maintains strong links across Greater Manchester.

A Relationship Business Above All Else

Ultimately, Richard returns to the foundation of the firm’s success: relationships. Clients, he says, see Davis Blank Furniss as more than a legal service - they see friends, trusted advisors, confidants. “We’re a business, of course. But you can grow a business in the right way. It shouldn’t just be take, take, take. If you invest in people staff and community the business grows naturally.” 

As the firm prepares for a major role in the 2026 Glossop Business Awards, the launch of The Biz Network, and an ever-expanding footprint across Manchester and the High Peak, one thing remains unchanged: Davis Blank Furniss is still and will always be a Glossop firm at heart.