Cutting the cake on 10 years in business

Ceramic Tile Merchants in Beverley is celebrating its 10th birthday by offering customers a 10% discount until the end of January at its showroom on Grovehill Road.

The tile supplier has gone from strength to strength in 2013, as it marks 10 years since it began on Grovehill Industrial Estate, off Annie Reed Road, in Autumn 2003.

It has expanded and moved into a new showroom, which has allowed it to better serve its customers, in a light and airy facility which really portrays the tiles to their best advantage.

“We decided we could do with more space, to show off our nice new material,” said Garry Cammidge, managing director.

“We could have a section with tiles on the floor. We made a nice shopfront and have a lot of natural light. It was an epic project, but it was worth it. We have made it a lot smarter.

“Before, we had a cash and carry style warehouse, but now we have little settings and big display stands. It has improved the whole situation.”

Some independent retailers may struggle against the big DIY stores, but Ceramic Tile Merchants was runner-up for a National Award for Excellence in Independent Retailing at the UK Tile Association’s annual awards in April.

Ceramic Tile Merchants has a small team of three full-time staff and two part-time staff, allowing them to give each and every customer a personal service.

Perhaps that is one of the many reasons why Garry and his staff are getting out the balloons and blowing out the candles on 10 years of healthy trading.

Their success has also meant that they have given their name in sponsorship to Stamford Bridge Cricket Club, who recently had one of their own, Lauren Winfield, selected for the England women’s cricket team.

“We are pleased the club is doing so well,” Garry said. “Stamford Bridge is a village with a strong community feel and, since I live in Stamford Bridge, I was very keen to get involved, through Ceramic Tile Merchants. We hope our contribution will help to bring on some of the younger players.”

“Lauren is a very talented young lady, who has come up through the junior ranks at the club, and we all hope that she gets to play in the Ashes series in January.”

To adapt to the changing needs of buyers, Ceramic Tile Merchants has added virtual technology to its website, which allows users to take a virtual look around the showroom. The online tile calculator also means that customers can become fully informed about the size and volume of tiles needed to fit out their room.

But it doesn’t stop there for Ceramic Tile Merchants, with Garry keen to be involved with big projects, such as supplying hotels with all their tiling needs.

There could be just that opportunity when Premier Inn comes to the Flemingate site, as well as the rumoured Travelodge just around the corner.

Garry also hopes the new southern relief road and the improvements to Grovehill roundabout will help to increase his trade, both from within Beverley and people coming from out of town.

“We see it as a very positive thing for the business,” he said. “It is going to aid the journey from people coming into Beverley from West Hull, so they can bypass the Minster area, and will make it easier for anyone to come to see us, which is great.”