Bristol-based builders’ merchants Kellaway Building Supplies has continued to invest in its branch network by relocating its long-established Ashton outlet to a larger site less than a mile away.
The new premises in Bedminster, pictured, have a larger yard, warehouse and shop, enabling privately-owned Kellaway to provide a large stock range to its increasing number of customers. 
It will also support the firm’s Lockleaze outlet with distribution to the rest of its 13-strong branch network.
Kellaway was founded in 1982 and is now one of the South West’s fastest growing independent builders’ merchant employing more than 150 people. It sells to trade and DIY customers from branches spanning an area from Worcester, Stonehouse near Stroud, where it also operates a timber mill and ready mixed concrete plant, to Nailsea, Bridgwater and Swindon.
Earlier this year it acquired Marlborough Building Supplies, which became its 13th branch and extended the group further into Wiltshire.
Operations & commercial director Sean Morgan said the new Bedminster site was significantly larger than the one it replaced.
“We’ve been able to provide our customers with a spacious, airy shop which benefits from lots of natural light, and outside we have provided dedicated parking for both our trade and DIY customers,” he said.“As our number of branches increases, our requirements on distribution becomes ever more challenging. It is of critical importance that our branches have the stock on the ground to fulfil customers’ needs and the new Bedminster site provides us with opportunity to improve the speed and regularity of distribution.”
The design and layout of the shop means that Kellaway is better able to deliver a customer experience to DIYers as well as tradesman; “We are keen to continue engaging with people who don’t traditionally feel comfortable using a builders’ merchant, but we understand the customer expectation is different and have designed the branch accordingly.”
