Early On
Burley Stoves ranks among Britain’s most respected heating manufacturers, built on decades of engineering expertise and family-led innovation. Founder John Barson launched Burley Appliances in 1975 after a twenty-year career with two of the UK’s largest electrical appliance manufacturers. Starting in a small garage, he assembled his first electric fire by hand. He personally sold it in Leicester the following day. Early momentum grew quickly after he secured an order from Harrods, prompting expansion, new staff hires and the involvement of his children in the business. A major breakthrough followed when Burley became an approved supplier to the Northwest Electricity Board, and within three years the company supplied all fourteen British Electricity Boards across around 900 outlets.
Driving Forward
Burley strengthened its reputation through continuous innovation and market expansion. The company developed a thriving export business and set new industry standards with the Empingham model. This was the first fire designed for both inset and freestanding installation. During the 1990s, Burley entered the gas appliance market and introduced the UK’s first flueless gas fire, opening a rapidly growing sector. Leadership passed to the next generation when Steve Barson became Managing Director, guiding further growth through strategic acquisitions including Straxgas and Magiglo, while the purchase of Navitron positioned the company within the renewable energy market.
Present Day
Today, Burley continues to expand its contract sales across electric and flueless gas fires. All the while maintaining a strong focus on product development. The Burley Fireball stove range showcases the brand’s commitment to outstanding fuel efficiency, clean-burning technology and striking flame visuals. Celebrating more than 50 years of British manufacturing excellence, Burley Stoves combines heritage craftsmanship with forward-thinking design. This combination delivers reliable, high-performance heating solutions for homes across the UK and worldwide.