What a year!!! After a very up and down 2022, 2023 was set to be totally different, thank goodness! It all started out with a double header in Somerset. Two sports centres, two counters, all in one day, a blummin long day! These were for McPhillips Ltd, we enjoyed working with these guys later in the year which you will see.
The lads in the workshop then progressed with some various furniture and joinery items while I worked behind the scenes to finalise prices and designs for some very large jobs in the summer.
The next site install was to be Cirencester College T-Levels building. Reception desk, wall panels and a very very Large TV surround which you can read about in a previous blog!
A lot of work went into this project both behind the scenes and on the shop floor, so everyone was happy to see how good it looked!
With January done and dusted we cracked on with quite a few smaller jobs for our regular customers in the Healthcare and education sectors, keeping us very busy, little did we know this was excellent training for the summer ahead!
In the Spring I took a trip down to Rustington in West Sussex to survey a Job for a company called Blind Veterans UK, a charity providing respite, support and training for blind servicemen and women. This would be one of the many jobs this year for HomeSmiths Ltd, and what a job! Boasting 3 huge counters/bars, bookcases, desks, salon furniture and various other items it was set to consume our summer!
It did not disappoint!
The lads worked extremely hard to get it all made and fitted on time whilst working on other items for Bromsgrove School, McPhillips/Dogs Trust, George Eliot Hospital, Warwick Hospital, Cirencester college and The Crescent School. (I told you it was busy!)
All this was going off whilst I was a little pre-occupied with a new addition to the family. Juggling fatherhood with drawing, pricing, installing furniture, site surveys and the general business owner stuff would not have been possible without the support of a great team of people. Danny, Owen and the lads in the workshop, Paula in the office, My wife Emma and my parents at home and my mates! I will be forever grateful for the help and support! I thank you!
Evelyn Rosa White – Born 14th July 23
Travelling up and down the country all summer took us to some lovely spots and that was set to continue into Autumn, with BVUK done and dusted our sights were set on Berkely Lodge, another project for HomeSmiths Ltd. A care home full of bookcases and refreshments stands, to be done in 5 phases which made it manageable, but it also meant that it would mean a minimum 8 hour round trip to Worthing every time.
Whilst the Lads worked on this one, my sites were firmly set on another care Home for HomeSmiths Ltd, Holt! Situated in, believe it or not, Holt, Norfolk, this was to be the biggest yet! 3 floors of furniture including reception desks, serveries, bookcases, salon furniture, nurse bases, screens and very importantly a table which wraps around a tree!!
Before we could get going on this it was just a case of clearing a couple of other orders….. Not just any orders, a whole shop refit for Ben’s Cookies in Brunswick London and a new Hospital of Desks for Speller Metcalfe at Forest of Dean Community Hospital!
The lads got going on Holt at the start of November and I can happily say at time of writing they are done! All items pretty much finished and stored ready for installation in January!
Not much left for it but to tidy up and go for a beer!
On reflection this has been the busiest year for a long time if not ever! Everyone here has pulled out all the stops to get it done and have earned a good Christmas break!
Merry Christmas to the whole team and thank you! Enjoy your well earnt rest, we go again next year!
Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you, to all our valued customers, reliable suppliers and friends of the business, I hope you all have a wonderful festive time and a great New Year!
Adam!
