Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr David McLean, joined the Bishop’s Waltham community to celebrate the launch of the new, super-sized Elliotts branch last night.
The ribbon was cut in true builders’ style by Managing Director, Tom Elliott, Branch Manager, Rob Norris and The Mayor of Winchester using a bolt cutter, hedge trimmers and a chainsaw.
After taking a tour of the extensive site of building materials for the trade and public, the Mayor of Winchester spent time chatting to staff and customers. In his speech, the Mayor praised Elliotts for being forward-thinking.
“I live in Bishops Waltham and Elliotts is an institution here. One of the things I’ve been impressed with today on my walk round is that the company is taking on apprentices – that is the future of any business and proves that this is going to be a strong evolution into another stage.”
Trading for over 60 years, the Bishop’s Waltham branch is the oldest in the Elliotts network and has now tripled in size thanks to a well-deserved re-build.
The new, modern branch, open to both trade and public, now carries a larger range of building materials. Customers and the surrounding community were all invited to explore the super-sized branch and celebrate with staff.
Rob Norris, Branch Manager of the Elliotts Bishop’s Waltham branch, said: “The new facilities are quite a transformation and access is now much easier.
“We’re all very proud of our new branch and love helping the building community of Bishop’s Waltham. Whether it’s a small DIY job or a large building project, we’ve got both the stock and the experts in the branch.”
Norris continued: “To add to the excitement, we held a prize draw to win goodies from Makita including a Bluetooth Site Radio and a 9” Angle Grinder. It was great to see some of our local customers win these.”
Formally the Blanchard & Co Brick & Tile works, Elliott Brothers bought the Bishop’s Waltham site in 1918 and began trading as a builders merchants in 1956 when Blanchard’s production ceased.
