Retailer profile: Bradfords Carpets and Beds
Spotlight on the flooring retailers who are putting their trust in the yellow bucket.
For this issue, we spoke to Ben Simcox, manager of Bradfords Carpets and Beds in Evesham, Worcestershire, on nearly 40 years in flooring.
We begin by asking Ben, the brother-in-law of owner Gary Tyler, about the history of the company.
“It was set up in 1986, on the high street in Evesham, by Gary’s dad, Steve,” he says. “It will be our 38th anniversary on 22 May.”
“Steve used to be a fitter, and his father was a carpet rep. When he set up, he also sold a few beds.”
So it’s very much kept in the family?
“Oh yes,” says Ben. “Steve is retired now. Gary does all the estimating. His wife Debbie looks after the books, and I run the showroom. Our head fitter, Dave, has been with us nearly as long as the business has been going. We have a great team who make it easy for me.”
We turn to what has changed in 38 years.
“There’s been huge growth in the number and type of floorcoverings that we sell and install for customers in the past eight years or so, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic. We used to just sell carpet. Now we also offer vinyl sheet, laminate, engineered wood, and we’ve recently moved into LVT. It means that we can provide a more complete flooring service,” he says.
On what hasn’t changed, he adds: “We’re still on the high street, in the same location, and we’ve always employed our own fitters. We don’t use any subcontractors. This means that we have complete control of the service and the quality of the work is guaranteed.”
There has also been investment to enhance the customer experience in recent years, including the addition of VIP parking for patrons and a consultation area in the showroom, where customers can enjoy a drink while chatting through their flooring requirements.
Bradfords are now members of ACG, the buying group for independent flooring retailers that, amongst other benefits, gives them access to more point-of-sale materials to enhance the retail environment.
As this is F-Talk, we asked Ben about the relationship with F. Ball.
“Since the rise in popularity of LVTs, we have become more involved in the entire flooring installation preparation process, from subfloor preparation to installation using adhesives. When you’re installing LVTs, the subfloor has to be perfect. This is where F. Ball has been invaluable, as we’ve been learning and come across things that we haven’t seen before. They’re second to none in terms of technical support. Rachel [retail representative] pops in to see us every now and again. Then there’s the Technical Service department, and Lee Crofts [technical representative] is always at the end of the phone in case you have a technical query. Sometimes it’s good just to get a second opinion. It gives you real peace of mind.”
“We’re also signed up to the Ball Rewards scheme, which gives cashback on all purchases of F. Ball products. It’s money for nothing really.”
What are his favourite things about his job?
“I love helping customers,” he says. “We go above and beyond to deliver on expectations and have over 150 five-star Google reviews. Each day is different. I like seeing customers return over the years. In some cases, we see people who used to come into the shop as children with their parents return as adults.”
Ben says that Bradfords now use a wider range of F. Ball adhesives, in line with the expansion in the floorcoverings they now offer, as well as Stopgap smoothing compounds and Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane.
Any favourite products?
“We tend to use quite a lot of Styccobond F3, for carpet, and F44, for vinyl sheet, given our background, but we’re increasingly using smoothing compounds like Stopgap 1200 and 1500. We wouldn’t use any other brand,” he replies.
So, you will be seeing more of F. Ball’s Technical Service Department?
“Yes. We joke that we have Lee on speed dial!”
