Hopes that second outlet will be a blinding success

17/11/2010

IT WAS a business started by Brendan Stainforth straight from school, buying and selling blinds.

Seventeen years later and this same man, who has been joined by brother Craig, is opening his second retail unit.

Yorkshire Blinds has celebrated a successful year's trading, in which business is up ten per cent on last year, with the takeover of a new premises in Hessle Road.

The new venue will join its other premises in Holderness Road.

Brendan is excited about the opening of the new shop. He said: "Business is going well along Holderness Road, so we thought we'd get a shop in Hessle Road, covering both east and west Hull.

"It's a good location and footfall should be busy.

"We're fitting both shops out and are trying to promote curtains.

"We will offer made-to- measure blinds and curtains. People will get the full service, pick the fabric, and we will come round to measure the windows and carry out the installation."

Currently, the company employs seven staff, though the new premises is set to create two more roles – one in manufacturing and one in supply and fit.

Brendan says the initial success of the company is down to sheer hard work.

"I put on a shirt and tie and got out there to do selling," said Brendan.

The company has also recently secured a contract in Aberdeen for 660 security shutters. Three months ago, his brother Craig became a joint director, with their mum also playing a role in the company.

He said: "I started work on my own buying and selling blinds at 21.

"I started manufacturing blinds when I was 23.

"Five years ago, when my brother started to work for the company, we decided to rename the company Yorkshire Blinds, rather than just using my initials, as we thought it was better for the area. The business has grown since then.

"We moved into this shop in time for Christmas.

"Ever since I've been in the trade, Christmas has been the busiest period. I'm not sure why. People must want their property to look nice in time for Christmas."

Link:

Garness Jones                

www.garnessjones.co.uk