BRISTOL: Bristol's oldest plumbing merchant, BBS Plumbing & Heating supplies celebrated the opening of its new bathroom showroom at Barton Hill in Bristol.
Alex Lovell, the BBC Points West presenter officially opened the showroom, which had been 12 months in planning.
The opening was attended by over 200 hundred people was enlivened by a Caribbean steel band and a party atmosphere which was enjoyed by all the customers and staff.
It also marked a break with tradition as BBS, which was formed in 1933, announced extended opening hours to both trade and public until 3pm on Saturdays.
Director John O’Brien commented: "In these days of ever increasing customer demand for 24/7 service and increasing competiton from the internet we felt we have had to adjust our opening hours to react." Mr O’Brien noted that the firm's important markets - healthcare and education - were suffering dramatically as the government cuts began to bite, and that he expected further reductions during 2012.
Aware of the work life balance, Mr O'Brien paid tribute to the flexibility being shown by the staff in accommodating the longer hours. He also expressed the belief that the significant investment would assist in attracting additional revenues through the recession and pay dividends as the economy recovered.
