The 200-year-old merchant has opened a nwe depot in Lawford, Essex.

The new location comes in addition to the Colchester and Ipswich depots.

After opening their doors on 4th November, the new Lawford depot was officially opened by Mrs Jane Collier with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, 15th November. Alongside colleagues, suppliers and customers, the event was attended by the Mayor of Manningtree, Ruth Stocks, and Lawford councillors, Dave Thurlow and Godfrey Payne.

During her launch speech, Mrs Collier paid tribute to the hard work of her late husband, Roy Collier, who was responsible for the family-run business until his death in 1998.

The new depot for Collier & Catchpole provides a variety of job opportunities for local residents.

Roy Collier, who had joined his father, Samuel, in the family business, Collier (Stanway), a gravel, lime and cement merchants, purchased E Catchpole & Sons, an Ipswich-based builders’ merchant, in 1975.

The two businesses traded separately until 1988, when they were amalgamated under the Collier & Catchpole name. Collier & Catchpole is now managed by Tim Rowbottom, who maintains the family ties as Roy’s son-in-law.