Date: 09/01/2008
When football fans and local business people Chris and Louise Harrison decided they'd like to contribute to community life in Glossop, it seemed only natural that they should choose a local soccer team.
'Footie' fanatics Chris and Louise were only too pleased to sponsor the strip for the second team of Gamesley Football Club soon after they launched their bathroom, plumbing and heating business, The 1 Stop Plumbing Shop Ltd on High Street West, in March 2005.
Now the relationship is progressing so well, the couple currently sponsor the strip for the first team, and Gamesley FC secretary Gary Weatherhead couldn't be more delighted.
"I think it's brilliant for a local company that has only relatively recently set up to support us in this way," said Gary. "When I approached Chris and Louise to ask if they would help, there was no hesitation, they said 'yes' straightaway. It's working out very well. It's great to have them on board, and I'm hoping we can count on their continued involvement in the future."
Like many local businesses involved in High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign, the 1 Stop Plumbing Shop Ltd is keen to invest, as well as trade, in the community it serves.
"I think it's very important for local shops to be actively involved in local life," said Chris, who manages the business, while his wife Louise takes care of administration and accounts. "Louise has always lived in Glossop, while I came here as a teenager, and we have always tried to support local businesses, because of the quality and service they provide.
"We employ four local people, and most of our trade customers are local plumbers and builders from the Glossopdale area. We also have a board by our retail counter, where they can advertise their services to our customers, which brings in business for them, helping to boost the local economy.
"When we were approached by Gamesley FC, we were only too pleased to help, because we are both sporty and football is one of the main sports we follow, so it's great to be involved in one of the local teams."
As well as supporting football in Gamesley, The 1 Stop Plumbing Shop Ltd contributes to Glossop FC by advertising at the team's ground, choose to advertise in local newspapers, are members of the Derbyshire Gold Card travel and discount scheme for over 60s and disabled people and specialise in sanitary ware for disabled customers.
Other bonuses on offer include a free, no obligation bathroom design and planning service and free delivery within a 25-mile radius of the store.
"We'll go out at any time to suit the customer's lifestyle, including evenings and weekends," added Chris. "We put together a 3D colour design so that customers know exactly what their bathroom will look like, and they can make whatever changes they like, as long as they are possible. We supply everything, and can also recommend reputable local tradesmen to carry out the fitting, including qualified CORGI engineers."
Both Chris and Louise believe that local businesses can offer a wealth of experience and advice.
"We aim to offer an approachable and knowledgeable service by creating a friendly atmosphere where people feel they can come for help and guidance, whatever their query or problem," said Chris.
"When you're buying a new bathroom, you can spend as much or as little as you like, and we aim to offer the best quality and value we can, whatever the budget.
"Because of that, we get a lot of repeat custom and get the chance to build up a relationship with many of our customers. We realise that, when they're spending money doing up their house, they want the end result to look good, so we do our best to help them get it right."
The 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign in the Glossopdale area aims to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of supporting local businesses. Customers can collect a sticker each time they buy something in a participating shop and stick it on a 'passport'.
Passports are available from shops taking part in the campaign, all High Peak Borough Council offices or in the current, Winter issue of the Council's Connect magazine. When one of the sections on the passport is full, it can be entered into a monthly prize draw if handed in at Glossop Municipal Buildings, Buxton, Chapel, New Mills and Whaley Bridge Town Halls, or posted to High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0QJ. Monthly prize draws will take place from now until March 2008.
Further information about the campaign, including tool kits full of marketing and promotional ideas and ways to encourage people to spend in local shops, are available from Sarah Porru, Glossop Vision programme officer, on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400 or sarahporru@highpeak.gov.uk .
Chris Harrison, managing director of The 1 Stop Plumbing Shop Ltd (left), with team members Martin Hughes and Will Rushby.