Darren Taylor | COMMENT AND OPINION


The managing director of retailer Searle and Taylor reflects on the positives and negatives that came out of the coronavirus pandemic


10 THINGS I learnt during lockdown


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even when there is a wealth of evidence presented in front of people, some of them still cannot believe what they are being told. No one I know actually wants to wear a face mask, but if it will potentially reduce my chance of getting Covid-19, then I will wear one. And within a matter of months, they turn into mainstream fashion items.


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my ABMs, but some of their higher-ups. I understand I am not the only person requiring a dishwasher to finish a delayed installation, but while I have been able to make preparations for most eventualities, it seems that they haven’t. When we all come out the other side of this, there will be plenty of ‘cool’ niche brands that will be keen to take display space in my showroom and can deliver on time.


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September 2020 ·


During lockdown, I learnt that certain loyal suppliers and partners had the utmost generosity of spirit and were prepared to go the extra mile for me and my business. I am deeply grateful to those who worked harder than ever to get things organised and delivered on time.


I have also learnt that since lockdown, I cannot rely on some of my other suppliers. It seems that the bigger the company, the worse the supply chain issues. I do not blame


ver the past few months, I have learnt


a vast amount about working in this industry, potentially more than ever before, some good, some less good. So I should like to share these observations with you.


Before March, I had only ever heard the word ‘furlough’ being used in the context of the armed forces as a period of extended leave. Now, like most employers, I am fully cognisant of its latest definition and what that has meant for me, my business and my staff.


I have learnt that in order to understand this pandemic, we have to look at the history of previous pandemics – and they all ended at some point. I have also learnt that


of our designs. This would ordinarily be made in a showroom environment and not handed to a client before the sale is made, and the deposit received. While most people are trustworthy and lovely, there is always going to be the odd chancer. This is a case of ‘seller beware’.


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I’m really grateful to the Government for its generosity during the pandemic, but I believe we would have been in a far better place without the previous three years of economic uncertainty. This situation came on the coat-tails of Brexit and whether you voted for or against, it has been problematic for all of us. Now I am seeing TV ads suggesting that business owners need to prepare for the next transition period, while we leave the European Union, which to me means a vast number of new things to learn, plus additional red tape.


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I still want to work with and buy from my suppliers in the EU, but unlike many of my competitors, this is not my only furniture offer, nor income source, as I sell


more British-made bespoke kitchens than contemporary European versions. I do, however, envisage a future trend for buying British and this makes me both happy and sad for our industry.


During lockdown, I learnt that people still wanted to buy a new kitchen, which was heartening and I hope that premium sector businesses like mine will be slightly


less affected over the long term. I also remain confident that, by being independent, I can offer my clients the best possible service, with better after-sales care and products than if they purchase from a chain, however reputable.


conversations, even with my direct competitors. All rivalries were set aside, because together we learnt, shared and supported each other and we are all now where we are. Although slightly uncertain about what comes next, at least I have the experience of what went before, and I for one have certainly learnt from it.


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What I really enjoyed during lockdown was keeping in touch with my industry mates and having many great thought-provoking


I think that traffic light systems should be kept to the management of highways. End of.


I have learnt that video presentation tools like Zoom are fantastic. However, we all need to find a version where the potential purchasers cannot record the presentation


OPINION DARREN TAYLOR


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