We're Back.....

It’s been a while since I wrote our very first blog and sadly last year I ran out of time to do it!  Since then the business has really taken off…….so we thought we’d say hello again so that you can follow us through our journey of expansion.  This morning the office is quiet and I am sat here wondering where to begin.  Today is Nikki’s birthday, that’s a good starting point.  Nikki is our new addition to the showroom team, she’s been with us almost 5 months and she is doing really well.  We were very lucky to find someone who fits in the team so comfortably and understands the way that small businesses work…..thats a bonus it has to be said!

Frank checking out the new unit.  Yes...he's still here!

Not only have we employed Nikki but      we’ve also taken on Louise as a part time  addition to accounts and we’ve trained up another HETAS installer.  The biggest news is that we’ve taken on another unit.  It all happened very quickly and almost in a flash things started moving.  Just after Christmas half the team moved to the offices at13A, we were outgrowing the unit at 13D and something had to give.  We have just started work on the downstairs which, with a little bit of jiggery pokery will become our brand new, shiny, Renewables Showroom. 

Work on this started 3-4 weeks ago.  If you’ve ever been down to see us at Riverside you will know that we have a large parking area at the front of the unit…..if you come down these days it is filled with Low Carbon vans and a hive of activity with our men going in and out pushing things along.  We’ve got some exciting things planned for the showroom, I can’t divulge too much at the moment but suffice to say major discussions over colour schemes and floor materials seem to be dominating meetings these days!!

The unit was an empty shell when we moved in, a number of walls sectioning off smaller rooms and not the most effective use of space.  It’s changing before our eyes though, we have ripped out the walls and have put a mezzanine in, the insulation is almost finished and the plaster board is going up on some of the walls.  All of the first fix electrics are in so at least we know we will have light in those dark winter months and the position for my new desk has been decided….Yippee!....It doesn't look much now but the photo copier has lived a happy life there for many years so I think maybe I will to. 

We never like to do things by half measures and so in a weeks time we kick off the show season which means our Low Carbon Trailer will be back on the road and we’ll be travelling around the Dorset region setting up at a number of shows in the area.  The New Forest is our first outing this year, starting on the 29^th July we’ll be there for three days. Chris and I will be covering all three days this year, hoping for some good weather.  If anyone fancies a good day out come down and see us, we’ll be situated on 3^rd avenue, near the chickens and the public conveniences …..the silver lining in this is not having to walk 3 miles every time we need to spend a penny!

The weather has been fabulous this last week or so but despite the temperatures people still seem to be thinking about the winter and we are seeing a steady flow of prospective customers through the doors.  It’s such a good feeling to be involved with an industry that is growing from strength to strength.  We are looking forward to another busy season and to seeing some of our old customers who we hope will come back and see us for their firelighters and glass cleaner.  We’ve just had a delivery of new companion sets, I am keen to get them open as so I will leave you in anticipation and I’ll let you in on a preview on my next blog.  Right…..where are the scissors!