Sign of the Times

[spooner68]

With the ever increasing number of business failures I was saddened to discover that Classic Tiles Limited in Blaydon near Newcastle had ceased trading. From what I can see, they closed suddenly before Christmas and there's no word on what's happening to the staff, stock or business as a whole. I regularly sent clients there to look at tiles and got referrals back as a result. Nice guys, decent products and prices. A shame.

 

[DHTiling]

Ye i knew they closed just before Xmas... deffo a sign of some not competing with the bigger outlets..

 

[AMtek]

We have a nice tile showroom up here but then a branch of topps opened right opposite and have been telling all their customers they will beat any price by 10%

 

[spooner68]

Yeah, I'm getting more customers that have been to Topps, B&Q and CTD. The smaller more personal outlets are getting squeezed. Mind the B&Q, Homebase and Wickes stuff is pretty poor quality. Makes work tricky.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It was just a question of time!
Unlike some areas of the country where you can travel 30 miles for a packet of spacer pegs, here in the North East there must be 10 large sheds/showrooms within 2miles of where they were based, and at least 30 outlets within that 30 mile radius.
The problem is everyone thinks that they can do it, open a unit, buy some stock and wait for the hundreds of 'tilers' who also think that they can do it.
I have Travertine in a bathroom that cost £84 a metre 15 years ago ( it is quality) but some are selling pumice stone as travertine for £12 a metre and expecting it to be as cheap to fit!!!!!!!
The economy will sort out the industry and then those that should be here will still be here.
But be careful - it's a jungle out there.