Kingfisher calls it a day

Kingfisher, the windows, doors and conservatories specialists, have decided to close down, despite having a healthy order book – because they can’t find staff to recruit.

John Fisher, now 87, started the company in 1986, having been sickened by the hard sell tactics of the national company he had worked for.

From humble beginnings with daughter Angie and youngest son Robert, Kingfisher grew and at various times over the following 37 years no fewer than 13 family members (including Angie’s husband) have been employed and at its height they employed a force of 18.

John started in a Nissen Hut in his mother’s orchard in Sand, moved to Badgworth Barns and then the former Monkeys play area at Tweentown in Cheddar before buying space at Millbatch Farm, in East Brent.

The company will complete its current orders before closing at the end of March. Existing customers are covered by their ten-year guarantee. John said: "Someone once said to me there wasn’t a road in Cheddar where they hadn’t seen a Kingfisher sign at some point. We made sure we looked after people's houses as our own. We’ve had thousands of customers".

Angie said despite months of advertising, they could not recruit fitters. Her husband, Peter, who is a director of the company, came out of retirement to help out.

She said: "It's been a very hard decision, but we wanted to end on a high. We could have sold it but didn't want someone then destroying our reputation."

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their support and especially their friendship over the years".

https://www.paultrippinstallationsltd.co.uk/

"A local family Company, that you might like to contact, who have the same ethics we do."

 

 

Why choose Kingfisher?

Choosing windows, doors and conservatories for your home could and should be something you look forward to.  All too often however the prospect of having to endure high pressure sales visits can put something of a dampener on your enthusiasm.

Kingfisher was established in 1986.  From the very start, putting any sales pressure on the customer was strictly forbidden. And it will always be so. We are a family firm, believe strongly in family values and are encouraged that our business is founded, and has grown, principally on recommendations by happy customers.

We offer a wide range of products and knowledgeable advice. We are competitively priced but will not join the game of cutting corners in order to make offers that are, for that very reason, ‘too good to be true’.  We have a relaxing and comprehensive showroom (with easy parking) and home visits that put you under no obligation whatsoever.  We provide detailed quotations and leave you to make decisions in your own time.   We have our own, fully qualified surveying and installation teams that take great pride in their reputation for punctuality, tidiness and skill.