| Date | 3 November 1977 |
|---|---|
| Source | Bracknell Times |
| Reference | PN-0020 |
| Volume | People in the News |
| Collection | Press Clippings |
Transcript
PYLE BROTHERS – 30 YEARS OF SERVICE AS HOUSE FURNISHERS
Advertisement
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Thirty years ago, two energetic young men came together and started a tradition. Freddie Shenston and Bill Weber, the founders of the well-known House Furnishers of Pyle Bros., believed to be one of the largest in the Home Counties. Pyle Bros. is still privately owned and managed.
Their two sons, Andrew Shenston and Clive Weber, have recently joined the board. Mr Freddie Shenston told me something of its history. He said he and Bill readily recalled the very early days.
He showed me a plan of the modest original unit which is now completely dwarfed by the massive complex the company now occupies on three floors with an extensive frontage in Peascod Street, recognised as the commercial heart of Windsor. Further exciting plans are being discussed to develop the rest of the site.
Mr Shenston attributed their success story to many factors, but primarily it was, since the very beginning, the friendly and personal service they offered their customers, coupled with the truly wonderful loyalty of a hardworking and long-serving staff now numbering near forty. Yet another factor was their merchandising technique, built up over the years, and now under the control of Andrew Shenston, whereby a close commercial relationship with leading manufacturers was established. It was Mr Andrew Shenston who accompanied me on a tour. I noted tremendous stocks. Rolls and rolls of broadloom carpeting, a whole floor full of bedroom, dining and kitchen furniture; much of the ground all types of bedding.
One of the many services Pyle Bros. offer is that of “Part Exchange” which serves to stock their secondhand department above which, all neatly stacked, are the back-up stocks of new furniture. This warehouse area alone is many times the size of the original unit. On my way back to where I originally set out on my tour, I passed the service area and noted some of their fleet of delivery vans, and further observed suppliers’ vehicles unloading. I was introduced to Chas Morley, for many years in charge of the carpet department, and his assistant manager, Steve Asbery. He told me he has a team of carpet fitters and an estimator. One aspect I did take particular notice of was the excellent bargains they were offering with products of well-known makers, all greatly reduced.
When I arrived back at the directors’ offices, I asked Mr Shenston senior about this. He explained — you remember I mentioned earlier the personal commercial relationship with leading makers — it works like this. They offer us a consignment of surplus stock, say, for example, twenty or thirty suites. We gear ourselves to take immediate delivery and pass on to our clients the financial considerations we obtain. Mr Shenston went on to explain that the large combines would not be interested in what to them would be considered too small a purchase. He then went on to say: “We are now serving the children and grandchildren of the very customers who Bill (pointing to Mr Weber senior) and I served when we first opened all those years ago.” They introduced themselves, stating they had been recommended by their parents. “What a truly wonderful feeling it is!”
He continued by saying: “Absolutely everything we sell can easily be purchased on credit terms and we pride ourselves on giving immediate free delivery in a wide area of everything in stock.” Mr Shenston continued by saying, “All I have told you requires a great deal of organising; to accomplish this we hold regular directors’ meetings. Often Clive Weber (a practising solicitor) attends. I must not conclude without paying tribute to our Administrative Manager, Colin Besle, and all the other members of the staff.”
To celebrate this thirty-year milestone in their history, Pyle Bros. are holding a special anniversary sale this week. Everything is further reduced. They extend an invitation to their many friends to call and see for themselves the exciting bargains they are offering (see advert on this page).
Images
