Born out of lockdown disruption, Stone Builders Merchants has grown from a small materials outlet to a thriving hub on Whitebridge Estate, supplying both tradespeople and local residents.
Making the best of a tough situation
When the first lockdown hit in early 2020, Nick Pye’s scaffolding business was thrown into uncertainty. Jobs were being cancelled, not because there was no demand, but because builders couldn’t get hold of the materials they needed to carry on.
Rather than waiting for things to return to normal, Nick and his team decided to act. If materials were in short supply, they would find them.
That simple shift led to the birth of Stone Builders Merchants, initially a modest operation serving trade customers in urgent need. They started with a small unit and quickly had to shuffle operations, moving their scaffolding business into an old car park to make space.
Growth grounded in local need
Fast forward four years and the business has expanded five times within Whitebridge Industrial Estate. The shop now serves both trade and the public, supplying everything from fence posts and porcelain stone to aggregates and timber products.
They also manufacture fencing, sheds and gates on site. The next step is producing custom summer houses, an offering set to launch soon alongside a new salesperson who has joined the team to help support their continued growth.
Their products include:
- Concrete and timber fence posts
- Porcelain stone and landscaping materials
- Gravel and aggregates
- Bespoke gates, panels and sheds
- Made-to-order summer houses (coming soon)
Local delivery is available, or you can collect directly from their Whitebridge Estate unit. Either way, you’ll be met with helpful service and a team that truly knows their stuff.
Built around people
Stone Builders Merchants isn’t just a supplier. It’s a family-friendly business, run with people in mind. They’re known for being easy to deal with, approachable and always ready to go the extra mile. If something doesn’t appear to be in stock, just ask — the team are brilliant at tracking down hard-to-source items.
Their website is also well worth a look. It’s packed with products and helpful information: https://stonebuildersmerchants.co.uk
A business with community at its heart
The company now employs nine staff and plays an active role in the community, regularly sponsoring town events and sports teams. From the start, the business has been shaped by its surroundings and built with local people in mind.
Nick says the journey has been fast-moving but rewarding. “We didn’t plan to be where we are now. It just grew out of a need, and we kept going. We’ve got a solid team and the town’s backed us all the way.”
Why go big when you can go local?
When you use a local firm like Stone Builders Merchants, you’re not just getting the materials you need. You’re supporting a business that gives back to the town, invests in its people and genuinely cares about its customers.
So if you’ve got a landscaping job coming up or just need a few bits for a DIY project, why not give them a go? What have you got to lose?
Thanks for the support
Thanks to Stone Builders Merchants for their support of A Little Bit of Stone through their gold tier Stone Business Directory listing – https://directory.alittlebitofstone.com/business/stone-builders-merchants-ltd/
