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We’ve had quite a busy year at Sydenhams, having opened 3 new branches and closing/relocating our branch in Poole! Here’s how our year went…
January 2021 – Acquisition of Staverton Building Supplies
In December, we acquired Staverton Building Supplies in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and began trading on 4th January. Our 16th and most northern builders merchant yet is managed by our very lovely Mark Ilott. He has kindly sent us a few words about how this year has been at Cheltenham:
"The transition from Staverton Building Supples to Sydenhams has gone very well with lots of much appreciated help along the way from our team at Sydenhams.
Already Sydenhams has shown a commitment to improve the branch by investing in yard improvements and more warehouse space . …with more planned for next year.
We look forward to continuing the adventure together next year"
April 2021 – Closing of our First Ever Branch
On 29th April, we shut our doors for the last time in Poole. Closing this branch was certainly the end of an era, since this was our first branch ever opened – dating all the way back to 1874! Holding so much of our history, you can see why we felt rather teary eyed letting it go, but not for long, as it relocated quickly to Wareham…
May 2021 – Official opening of our Wareham Branch
5 days after permanently closing our Poole branch, we opened our doors in Wareham, with trading beginning on 4th May. Poole’s branch manager, Clive Tomlinson, moved to Wareham to continue in managing the newly built branch. Here’s a few words from Clive:
“Having locked the gates to our Poole branch for the last time ever on April 29th (and said good bye to Roland Miles who retired after 42 years of service), a long weekend of moving stock, forklifts and computers ensued.
It was three days of exhausting work that, at times, looked like we were never going to make it but, thanks to outstanding work from all of the team and an incredible amount of help from some great Sydenhams people, we made it happen and opened for trade on Tuesday 4th May.
Since opening we have maintained good working relationships with old, trusted customers from Poole and have expanded our horizons to greet lots of new trading businesses in and around the Wareham conurbation.”
May 2021 – Official opening of our Tidworth Branch
With trading at Tidworth also beginning on 4th May, our Tidworth branch was opened by our branch manager Mike James, who has since relocated to manage our builders merchant in Guernsey. Managing Tidworth was Mike’s first experience as a Sydenhams branch manager, and I think we can all agree that he smashed it!
“I took on the role as branch manager at the new Tidworth branch In November 2020 while the branch was still under construction. It was a massive task to get the place ready especially with covid restrictions and the mass shortage of stock from most suppliers.
We managed to get everything in place ready to open on Tuesday 4th May 2021 , a huge team effort from everyone at Sydenhams and a massive achievement for everyone involved.”
We’ve had a busy year and as we approach New Year’s Eve, we look forward to next year with high hopes. We would like to thank you, our customers, as we couldn’t have done it without your continued business and support.
We hope you have a great Christmas and New Year with your loved ones. Hopefully you can have a well-earned break after another whirlwind year!
The above article was published on 20th December 2021, and is subject to change and further guidance.