Date: 09/01/2008
Half a century after his late father Joe launched a plumbing and heating business in Glossop, John Barber is proud that his bathroom showroom and plumbers' merchants is very much a part of community life in the town.
Whether it be long-term support for sports organisations such as Glossopdale Harriers and Glossop Cricket Club or hands-on involvement in charities such as the Glossop-based Chernobyl Children's Project UK, Joe Barber Plumbers Merchants Ltd, of 66-68 High Street West, is happy to help.
And plans are also in the pipeline to mark the business's Golden Jubilee with a special event for customers at its showroom, scheduled for sometime this spring. "We actually reached our half-century last year, but wanted to wait until improvement works on the High Street were finished before celebrating," explained John. "It'll be our way of saying a big 'thank you' to everyone who has supported us over the past 50 years."
Like many local businesses involved in High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign, Joe Barber Plumbers Merchants Ltd. is keen to invest, as well as trade, in the community it serves.
Between them, the team of ten staff have more than 75 years' experience in the industry, and are keen to share their expertise with, and offer a friendly, individually tailored service to, all their customers.
That includes a free bathroom and shower room design service, with home visits at times to suit the client. After an initial meeting, 2D and 3D computer aided designs are drawn up to show customers what their chosen option will look like before they take the plunge.
"It's an excellent service, especially for people who are housebound, elderly or disabled, or lead busy lives, and want or need to discuss their needs in the comfort and privacy of their own home," added John.
As well as having the showroom on High Street West, which features a comprehensive range of showers, bathrooms and plumbing materials, Joe Barber has a warehouse next to the town's Tesco supermarket.
"We have a phenomenal amount of stock, and are probably the largest stockists of fundamental plumbing materials in the region." said John. "If a tradesman or retail customer is looking for something specific, chances are we'll have it, even if it's obscure or discontinued.
"Even if we don't, we can usually get it from somewhere else. Because we have been in business for a long time, we have a very good relationship with manufacturers and are able to source a wide variety of products at very competitive prices."
Joe Barber's extensive range also encompasses a number of eco-friendly options, including under floor heating systems, energy efficient boilers and solar panel heating equipment.
"We are very environmentally-conscious, and try to build that into everything we do," said John. "We also offer regular training sessions, up to four a year, for local builders and plumbers, which keeps them up to date with new products, including 'green' options, and changes in the law.
"For the customers' benefit, we also keep a list of local tradesmen whose services we can recommend, including those who are CORGI registered for gas and central heating installations, or specialist tilers to tackle such tasks as laying a travertine stone floor. Matching the right tradesman with a particular job is vitally important, and we take it very seriously to make sure customers are satisfied, both with the standards of service and the workmanship."
This thorough approach extends to the business's extensive charity work. Over the past few years, Joe Barber has provided fund-raising and practical support to the Chernobyl Children's Project UK, and trustee Mags Whiting is impressed by their commitment.
"We are very keen to encourage the local community to support our charity, and are very pleased that a long-standing business like Joe Barber is so closely involved in the work we do, from storing aid such as children's clothes, toys and books to hosting families who come to the UK on holiday," she said. "We really do appreciate their efforts."
Added John: "As one of the oldest businesses in Glossop, we feel it's a privilege to be involved in the community. And after 50 years' trading in the town, we feel we are an integral part of that community."
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 / 01298 28400 or sarahporru@highpeak.gov.uk .