Builders merchant EH Smith has completed of a major redevelopment of its’ Longbridge branch, which first opened in 2008.

Following the successful redevelopment of the Shirley, Solihull branch in 2013, which increased customer visits to the branch by 30% and attracted more smaller building firms to use EH Smith, the Longbridge branch has been opened up to encourage builders and other trades to browse and collect from the branch – with more than 13,000 product lines now guaranteed by EH Smith's 'Proper Prices' promise.

Nick Perks, Longbridge branch manager, said: "We've opened up the Longbridge site to make it easier for builders and other trades to drop in and pick up what they need - as well as having the traditional option of delivery to site. We've also price-matched our products against our competitors and broadened our ranges to make sure we offer an unbeatable service for builders, decorators, chippies and plumbers."

Long term EH Smith customer Nick Hall, of NG Hall Building Services in Lickey, Birmingham is impressed with the difference in Longbridge: "They've got it right here with Proper Prices. You used to have to negotiate to get a good deal but now it's great. The staff are a good bunch, lots of friendly banter but they know their stuff too. To be honest, if EH Smith sells it we will buy from them over anyone else,” he said.

John Parker, chief executive of EH Smith, added: "Our customer base is up by 30% over the past 12 months. Investing in new or redeveloped branches like these has helped to deliver one of EH Smith's strongest trading years in our 92-year history."

The redevelopment comes hot on the heels of the opening of EH Smith's new Harborne site, the company's 10th branch in the UK, bringing the total investment in the city to £500,000. EH Smith has been trading since 1922 and also operates branches in Shirley and Olton Wharf in Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Stourbridge, Cannock, Leicester, Hemel Hempsted and Witham in Essex.