Jan-Feb 2011


South West Building & Construction 23 NEWS & INFORMATION


New-look branch re-opens


SOUTH West-based Bradfords Building Supplies, one of the largest independent builders merchants in the UK, invited the Mayor of Taunton Deane to carry out an official opening of their new-look branch in Taunton, Somerset.


The ribbon cutting ceremony, which included senior members of staff, marked the completion of a £1m building programme, providing much improved facilities for both customers and staff. And the good news is that the extended services now on offer at the branch have also created new job opportunities. Councillor Jefferson, the Mayor of Taunton Deane, said: ‘In these days of recession and the continual news of cuts in expenditure, it has given me great pleasure to officially open the newly-completed branch in Taunton with the creation of two new jobs.


‘Bradfords has a proud tradition here in the West Country of offering good service for well over 200 years.


‘By asserting its independence in a world of increasing centralisation and rationalisation, this investment shows that there is still confidence in the business sector to buck the trend and augurs well for the commercial future of Taunton.’


Dennis Smith, managing director of Bradfords, said: ‘We are delighted that the mayor could join us to officially open the new-look outlet to give it a sense of occasion. The Taunton branch was in dire need of updating in order to achieve the high level of service and product choices our valued customers expect from the Bradfords brand. ‘As a commercial business it


was important to keep trading with minimum disruption to our customers and therefore the works were carried out in three phases.’


Phase 1 was the refurbishment of the yard and


Replacing a chimney pot.


formation of a new timber store, Phase 2 was the refurbishment of the bagged goods store and Phase 3 the refurbishment of the main building. The project has been undertaken by local building contractor R G Spiller Limited based in Chard. The award-winning contractor worked closely with the Bradfords team to ensure continuation of business trading with minimal disruption to customers.


Mr Smith said: ‘It is our


company policy to only use local suppliers where we can. R G Spiller Ltd fully understood our needs and it was a smooth operation from start to finish. We are delighted with the quality of the finished project which will enhance the business and will create much needed new jobs in the local area.’ Andrew Howard, managing director of R G Spiller Limited, said: ‘We developed a close working relationship with the client to ensure that we would meet their brief fully. This included a new goods-in


Branch manager Gary Biggs, regional operations manager Martin Rose, Dennis Smith, operations director Andy Gamble, Councillor Jefferson, Mike Tidmarsh and Andrew Howard.


entrance to help reduce congestion as deliveries are now kept separate to customers’ parking. Noise levels were kept to a minimum and a clean and tidy site was maintained with all relevant health and safety measures put in place to safeguard both staff and customers.’ The exciting new changes at Bradfords Taunton include a unique indoor patio display showing an extensive range of slabs, block paving, fencing and forest garden furniture. And a new sales office, displaying product literature, provides a comfortable and relaxing environment for customers to sit and discuss their building needs with the sales staff. There is also a new goods-in lock up, which means that materials can now be


put straight into this holding store, instead of being left in the shop in the way of customers. The new timber store has also been constructed with pigeonhole racking to make it easier for customers to pick the mouldings they require. Mike Tidmarsh, sales and


marketing director of Bradfords Building Supplies, said: ‘As a result of the changes, we have been able to introduce 100s of new products and the new self- serve selection area has been redesigned to make it more user- friendly for the retail customer. It has been well worth the investment and our customers will immediately see huge benefits in store.’ For more information on Bradfords, visit the website at www.bradfords.co.uk.


Selection on show


THE Dartmoor Stove Company specialises in stoves and range cookers. The family-run business, based in


Tavistock, has a new showroom with a wide selection of products on display (including woodburning, multi-fuel and gas stoves) from a variety of manufacturers. The business can carry out a free no- obligation survey of a property and give advice on the products which best suit the customer’s needs. Installation by Hetas- approved installers is also offered. Another aspect of the business is chimney maintanance and repairs. For more information, contact The Dartmoor Stove Company, Unit 6, Crelake Industrial Estate, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9AZ.


Tel: 01822 614206. Email:


ali@thedartmoorstovecompany.co.uk. www.thedartmoorstovecompany.co.uk.


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