Brandon business Fengate Fasteners celebrates opening new shop

A hardware business in Brandon which has been trading for almost 40 years is celebrating its recent expansion.

Fengate Fasteners, in Norwood Road, opened its new shop in July of last year but is now fully operational.

Unlike many businesses during the pandemic, Fengate Fasteners has gone from strength to strength, turning over £1 million last year.

But the business had humble beginnings, opening in 1983 after the Evans family, owners of D J Evans, purchased GKN depot in Brandon and established Fengate Fasteners.

Originally based in Fengate Grove, the company expanded into its own premises in Putney Close where it has traded for several years.

Now, the hardware shop has been moved into an adjoining unit and sells fixings, fasteners, power tools, personal protective equipment and general hardware to both tradespeople and the general public.

George Trudgett, 72, who has been employed by the company for 25 years and who is now business development executive said the shop expansion was a good decision for the business.

He said: “The adjoining building sat empty for many years and then the landlord re-roofed it and tidied it up, which was ideal for us.

“Although the building is almost 45-years-old it was like moving into a brand new building. It got new painted walls, floors, new lighting and it’s all very smart.

“It’s allowed our original shop/warehouse to be solely a warehouse and our shop can be bigger with a wider product range.”

Hannah Clarke, branch manager at Fengate Fasteners, said she was extremely proud the business was still able to grow despite the pandemic.

She said: “To have been able to survive the pandemic, turnover just over £1 million and still be growing is hugely important for us.

“We saw a large number of people during lockdown looking for a local hardware store, gardening products or something they didn’t want to travel to pick up.

“All of a sudden we were seeing faces that we’d never seen before.

“I think it’s really important to support Brandon’s older generation who don’t want to travel to big department stores in Thetford like Wickes or B&Q when we’ve got the ability to give them something on their doorstep.”

Going forward, the team is eagerly anticipating the business’ 40th anniversary in 2023 and possible expansion to neighbouring towns.