Pimlico Plumbers has opened its new plumbing merchant enterprise.
Based opposite its main headquarters and depot in Lambeth, South London, Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants is a strictly trade-only counter providing a wide range of products and accessories. Having secured deals with manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Valliant, Ideal and Honeywell, Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants opened to customers in the autumn to a positive response.
In addition to providing plumbing, heating and bathroom equipment to the crew of Pimlico Plumbers' tradespeople, the business is already attracting considerable interest from independent contractors and small businesses. Since it opened, it has also expanded its workforce from its original two members of staff to six, and has added a one-hour delivery service across the Central and Greater London areas.
The grand opening was marked by a champagne reception and also included a charity auction, compèred by Capital Radio Breakfast Show presenter and model Lisa Snowdon and Pimlico Plumbers' founder Charlie Mullins, which raised in excess of £7,500 for a local girl, three-year-old Chloe Balloqui.
Chloe requires £100,000 for life-saving cancer treatment in the United States and auction lots, including the chance to win a Pimlico Plumber for the Day, an Executive Box experience at Brighton & Hove Albion FC, a £500 Austin Reed Voucher and a selection of hair styling appliances donated by celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke, were auctioned off in aid of the fundraising campaign.
In addition to holding the auction, Mr Mullins has committed £1 from every Pimlico Plumbers job completed between the end of November and the fundraising deadline in the middle of January. He has also launched a dedicated text donation line, which is promoted on the side of every Pimlico Plumbers vehicle, including the merchant delivery vans.
Donations can be made by texting PLUM89 space £ followed by an amount between £1 and £10 to 70070. A dedicated fundraising webpage has also been set up at www.justgiving.com/pimlico-plumbers.
"The reaction we've received to Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants has been phenomenal. Bringing our merchant requirements in house is a great way to control costs, but it has also proven to be a great resource for other plumbers,” said Mr Mullins.
"The grand opening was a real success and Lisa Snowdon did us proud. The interest in the auction was amazing and will go a long way to raising the vital funds little Chloe needs to get to America for treatment."
Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants is open weekdays 7am-7pm and on Saturdays between 7am-5pm. It will also be open throughout the Christmas period.
