Williams & Co Eastbourne branch - born 25th Jan 2013

[Ray Stafford]

We are pleased to announce the birth of our new Eastbourne branch, weighing in at just under 4000 sq ft.

Signed the lease on 10 Alder close, Eastbourne today, the mezzanine contractors start on Monday for a week - then about 5 weeks to fit out means that we should be open about mid-march. Eastbourne will be our 25th branch.

Hastings was conceived a couple of weeks ago, so we are still in the morning sickness stage, but the lawyers will hopefully do their thing so that the fit out crew can go straight from Eastbourne on to Hastings, and get that one open by May.

The Eastbourne branch is pretty much staffed already, but if anyone knows of good merchant staff in the Hastings area, who might be looking for a new employer, please point them in our direction. We aren't looking for rocket scientists or pushy salesmen, just a good knowledge of plumbing gear and a real track record of excellent customer service.

The photo below is the Eastbourne building as it looks now. I may add some photos of the fit out as it progresses. Eastbourne based plumbers are welcome to nose in from Monday week - have a chat with John, Steve, Neil and the other lads doing the fit out, pick up a pricelist and an account application form.

 

[dave1]

Well done Ray. Sounds like good times for you guys, keep up the hard work.

 

[villa_tom]

How long has it taken you to build this up from one shop ray?

 

[Ray Stafford]

MickW started with a corner shop in Portsmouth in 1972. It took until 1986 to open the 2nd one in Fareham - thats when I joined. No 3 was Petersfield in 1991 - I opened that one, and was branch manager there, so I still have a soft spot for it. We got to 5 by about 1993, and then stalled - we went nearly 10 years trying to work out how to beat the nationals. No 6 was 2002, and then its really snowballed since then.

The key to it was 2 decisions - to go "trade only" and to have a single price policy - every tradesman pays the same price. That frees the staff from time-wasters and arguments about price, and lets them concentrate on customer service.

 

[kozak1968]

Good to see the independant expanding.... well done Ray

 

[villa_tom]

MickW started with a corner shop in Portsmouth in 1972. It took until 1986 to open the 2nd one in Fareham - thats when I joined. No 3 was Petersfield in 1991 - I opened that one, and was branch manager there, so I still have a soft spot for it. We got to 5 by about 1993, and then stalled - we went nearly 10 years trying to work out how to beat the nationals. No 6 was 2002, and then its really snowballed since then.

The key to it was 2 decisions - to go "trade only" and to have a single price policy - every tradesman pays the same price. That frees the staff from time-wasters and arguments about price, and lets them concentrate on customer service.

25 stores!!!! I thought the OP said 5th store

your blatantly a millionaire then mr stafford, I don't feel as cheeky now for asking you for those rad vents

 

[Ray Stafford]

25 stores!!!! I thought the OP said 5th store

your blatantly a millionaire then mr stafford, I don't feel as cheeky now for asking you for those rad vents

I wish! Unless that lottery ticket comes up tomorrow...

 

[Pipedream]

Any chance of a branch in Wales ?

 

[villa_tom]

I wish! Unless that lottery ticket comes up tomorrow...

Why? You ten pound short of a million then?

 

[Keefy]

Good to see the independant expanding.... well done Ray

^ That. Congrats Ray!