PB reports on the grand opening of Jewson’s first purpose-built Branch of the Future at Farnborough.
Jewson’s Farnborough branch officially opened on Monday 21 October 2024, as the merchant’s first purpose-built Branch of the Future. The PB team was invited to take a look around and see what’s different and what to expect from more Jewson branches in the years to come.
Drive-thru convenience
While there’s certainly a lot of impressive features in the Farnborough branch, the materials storage and “drive through” option immediately jumps out as the biggest. Although some materials are still stored outside, the main bulk of the branch’s offering is housed under cover in a one-way warehouse that snakes around the back of the shop floor. Tradespeople can simply drive through the warehouse, stopping in the designated loading bays and collection points, loading up their van as they go.
Convenience is key here. Even as you turn into the branch’s entrance, there’s an easy-to-follow bright blue road painted on the tarmac that guides you right to where you need to go. Following the “blue brick road” will lead customers to the clearly signposted entrance to the warehouse. Efficiently organised materials then flank the path, allowing for quick and simple loading as the team on hand helps out. Most in the trades will agree that “time is money”, so this clear layout is a bonus; especially if it’s a first time visit to the branch.
Inside the warehouse is everything from doors and sheet material to PSE timber and plasterboard. We all know how downright unpredictable British weather can be, particularly at this time of the year, so being able to load up dry materials under cover is certainly helpful! There’s also a handy little sales counter at the end of the drive through for those with Jewson credit accounts, allowing for a hassle-free, swift exit.
Time to chat
On the flip side, there are going to be some tradespeople that don’t want to get in and out in a flash. While the drive through collection presents a speedy option, the main hub of the branch can act as something entirely different.
For starters, a dedicated warm drinks and pastries section serves free hot food and coffee every day with a space to sit down. This is well complemented by modern meeting rooms for customers to meet their own customers and talk about their current or upcoming projects. Talk about making yourself at home!
The main shop floor in general is, like the warehouse section, efficient. While there are the spaces to hang about, the range of tools, fixings and whatever else you can think of is very clearly sectioned into appropriate categories. There’s a lot on offer too, with the 1.3-acre branch host to a 20% bigger range than typical Jewson stores.
Working with you
The general feeling of this Branch of the Future is convenience. Opening hours, for example, have been extended, with the branch open from 6:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 7:30am to 12pm on a Saturday. There’s also an expansive fleet of delivery vehicles on hand ready to go for the time-poor who can’t get away from a job.
We caught up with Sam Johnson, Head of Marketing – Operations – STARK Building Materials UK, on the launch day. Speaking on the new branch, he said: “We’ve looked at everything, from extending the range to how each individual customer wants to trade. We’re showing that they can have the option to come in and get their stuff and go if they need to be up and out on site, but we’ve also given the option for them to come and have breakfast. We’ve tried to capture the full customer journey, however they want to take it.”
The branch represents parent company STARK Building Materials UK’s ‘Trust in Better’ strategy. With this, Jewson is implementing a comprehensive investment programme to optimise its branch network across the nation. By extension, it’s a decided investment in the UK construction industry and the predicted growth we’re all set to experience.
This prodigal branch couldn’t be in safer hands either. Domi Scrivener, Branch Manager for Jewson Farnborough, has been with the business for almost 20 years, working across multiple branches. In fact, she even started at a counter in a previous Farnborough branch 19 years ago, creating a wholesome full circle moment. Speaking on the launch she said:
“Customers are at the very heart of our business and our new purpose-built Branch of the Future here in Farnborough reflects that. It acts as a beacon of the very highest standards of merchanting and offers everything our loyal customers could need to grow their business under one roof, while also letting them be themselves, providing a place to chat with like-minded people about the football, their weekend or upcoming holidays.”
Finally, John Carter, CEO of STARK Building Materials UK, part of STARK Group said: “Our customers want and expect great service, and that happens from the moment they walk through the door, when our naturally inquisitive teams welcome them and start to dig into what they’re working on, what’s going well, the challenges they’re facing and how we can help them. In the merchant world, relationships are key, and we know we can offer long-term value to tradespeople and businesses, helping them deliver exceptional service to their own customers.”
For more information on Jewson’s Farnborough branch, visit Jewson Farnborough.
