Category: Collier & Catchpole

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Summer Bonanza Trade Show 2024: Building on Success

We hosted our 2nd annual Summer Bonanza at our Colchester branch on Thursday, 27th June.

It was a day to remember — 20+ leading suppliers, local builders, contractors, industry supporters and DIY enthusiasts came together to network, explore the latest products, and discuss upcoming projects.

Visitors enjoyed a free wood-fired pizza from The Mobile Pizza Co, baked fresh on-site. The first 50 visitors got to take home an exclusive gift bag filled with goodies. We also had instant win raffle and a prize draw throughout the day to win a PlayStation 5.

summer bonanza

A special guest: Jessica Fitch-Hall — Colchester based, Senior TKM racer, Club 2000 O Plate Winner 2022 and British Championship contender 2023. Jess joined in the demo’s and performed a few tricks to visitors in the afternoon, ahead of a packed summer racing schedule.

We enjoyed live tool and product demonstrations, which provided a great opportunity to explore new solutions for upcoming projects. In addition to the fun and games, exclusive trade deals were available throughout the day.

summer bonanza
summer bonanza

The event was not only about showcasing products but also about building strong relationships within the community. A big thank you to our Summer Bonanza 24 exhibitors: Brett Martin, SSQ Natural Slate, Fernco Ltd, Long Rake Spar Co Ltd, JB Kind Doors, Pavestone UK Limited, Bradstone, Clark-Drain, Everbuild Building Products, TIMCO, Toolbank, FP McCann, Mannok, Joule UK and Haemmerlin UK.

summer bonanza

We can’t wait for next year’s Summer Bonanza, date to be confirmed. Thank you to everyone who came along to make the day such a success. Trade events are new to us, and we plan on building on experience.

Watch this space for more exciting events at Collier & Catchpole – your trusted local building supplier.

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#StickWithACO 2.0: The DIY Target Game

When our #StickWithACO pens first arrived, we didn’t search for a piece of paper to test the quality of the ink — We threw one at the nearest window! The pen stuck to the window in a clean swoop, wobbled and made everyone laugh, and it was in that moment that we discovered why these pens were so important to our merchandise collection.

target game

Our “stick to almost any surface” pens have quickly become a hit with our team, customers and suppliers. So, we created a new and exciting addition to the campaign: a target game using the #StickWithACO pens as darts 🎯

How to play:

With the pen nib and ink removed, the challenge is simple — Throw 10 #StickWithACO pens and see how many you can stick to the Collier & Catchpole x ACO Group target.

Well done Karl Flintoff for putting our new game together. We are excited to roll out our new game at next event. Make sure you are there to take on the challenge and see how many pens you can stick to the board for the chance to win your height in beer.

target game

Target Game DIY Project duration:

  • 10 minutes to build the wooden frame
  • Approx 62 minutes to get the sticker on the whiteboard (without any bubbles)

Building materials:

  • 4 lengths of 3×2 CLS Timber
  • TIMCO C2 Screws (100mm)
  • Old white board
  • Custom A0 self-adhesive sticker

Tools:

  • Handsaw
  • Power drill
  • Tape measure
  • Large format printed sticker (we got some help from The DS Group with this)
  • Squeegee (to smooth the sticker to the board, fairy liquid helps with this)

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New Co-Branded Travel Cups with Brett Martin!

Our new co-branded travel cups in partnership with Brett Martin are here. With the colder months around the corner, we have the perfect solution for landscapers and builders wanting to keeping your favourite drinks warm while on-the-go.

Our new cups feature a unique design that showcases both the Collier & Catchpole and Brett Martin brands, a symbol of our strong partnership

Thanks to Brett Martin’s support, we are excited to offer our new travel cups free of charge to our customers, while stocks last. Simply visit us in-store to collect your cup.

cups
cups
brett martin cups

About Brett Martin

“Well-designed drainage products and layouts are known to have a massive impact in creating healthy and sustainable environments within which we all live, work and play.

Designed to last a lifetime our products help to create better environments for us all. Our underground drainage systems are designed to provide the installer with maximum choice, flexibility, ease of installation and long-term reliability.

Founded in 1958, we remain a family business dedicated to continued growth with our original values still core to everything we do. Our people are the force behind Brett Martin and their vast experience across every function in the business drives this team to meet the ever changing needs of our customers.

Driven by these values we are working together to develop new ideas, enhancing the products and services we offer to markets around the world”

Here’s to hot drinks on-the-go this winter with Collier & Catchpole and Brett Martin! Free coffee and Hot Chocolate available in-store, Colchester, Lawford and Ipswich ✨

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Guess the Eggs Easter Competition

Our latest in-store competition at Collier & Catchpole was all about guessing — and chocolate! We launched our “Guess the Eggs“ game, where customers had the chance to win a giant bespoke chocolate egg, one for each branch.

guess the eggs
guess the eggs

Guess The Eggs! The big reveal — there were exactly 70 mini eggs in the jar! We received a fantastic range of guesses, but a few lucky winners came closest to the mark and took home their bespoke chocolate egg.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and had a laugh making predictions.

Thanks again for your support, and enjoy your chocolate eggs, winners! Keep an eye on our socials and in-store for future challenges.

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Racing Ahead: An Exclusive Interview with Jessica Fitch-Hall

To commemorate a year since we first met Jessica Fitch-Hall, Female racing driver, British Kart Racing Driver, Formula Ford Race Driver for Fern GP, we took some time to reflect on her racing career, so far.

Jessica’s ambition and success remind us how important it is to support young talent within our communities, especially when they are breaking new ground. Growing up in a family passionate about motorbikes and cars, she was drawn not only to the high-speed excitement of racing but also to the technical aspects of the sport.

jessica fitch-hall

Being on the track, Jessica says, is all about the adrenaline. “It’s just you and the kart“. It’s a reminder that true success comes from inner drive—a message that resonates beyond the track.

When did you first become interested in motorsports?

I first became interested in competing in motorsport around the age of eight. I was fascinated by the idea of the fast-paced racing but also the mechanical side as well. From a young age, I was brought up around a family who had interests in both motorbikes and cars. 

What is your greatest achievement in your racing career so far?

Probably competing in the British Kart Championship and being a confirmed driver for Fern GP in their single seaters. It was a dream I had since I was eight watching others compete where I am now.

jessica collier & catchpole

What has been your biggest challenge?

Probably overcoming the explosion from our race van as we lost all of our equipment. The support from everyone was amazing, and we will never forget the help from everyone.

 What is your favourite thing about being on the track? 

The adrenaline overpowers everything when on track it’s just you and the kart.

What’s next?

I have my first test day in the formula Ford with Fern GP. It will be a huge step for me to adapt to, but I have an amazing support network to help me with all the new challenges.

Do you have a quote to live by?

“You can copy someone’s idea but not their energy. That’s why some will win regardless of others trying to replicate them. It doesn’t matter what others are doing it’s you vs. you.”

What are the next steps in your motorsport career?

I would like to achieve a seeded ( top 10) in the British Kart Championships. I would also like to test in a formula three car.

Supporting young talent like Jessica is essential for building future champions and breaking barriers, showing that anyone can thrive with the right passion and perseverance.

To find out more and to support Jessica Fitch-Hall, head over to her Instagram. 

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Celebrating 25 Years of Dedication: Mark Willis’ Work Anniversary

Our success is built on the hard work and dedication of our team, and few people embody this better than Mark Willis, who is celebrating 25 years with the company this month.

This remarkable milestone speaks volumes about the kind of workplace we strive to create—one where people not only feel valued but choose to stay and grow with us long term.

mark with the ipswich team

Mark was presented with a custom-made mantel clock featuring a special engraving to commemorate the occasion, and he also became the second person to officially receive a 25-year service celebration badge.

Reflecting on his time here, Mark says, “25 years, who would have thought it? Not me that’s for sure, not in 1999. However, 25 years is what it is, and I have a lovely clock and a long-service pin to prove it. I have generally enjoyed my time here at Collier & Catchpole, and with retirement not too far away, I look forward to the years to come.”

Mark clock
mark 25 year badge

Mark’s quarter-century journey with Collier & Catchpole began in 1999, and has become an integral part of the team. His dedication is a testament to our commitment to fostering a positive, supportive working environment.

We pride ourselves on being a company where employees feel empowered, valued, and motivated to build long-term careers. Mark’s milestone reminds us of the importance of nurturing these relationships, 40 years is a significant amount of time, and we’re proud to have him as part of the team.

With long-serving, passionate employees like Mark, you can trust that Collier & Catchpole is built on expertise, experience, and a strong sense of community. Here’s to another 25 years, Mark—thank you for being part of our journey!

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Custom Badges To Celebrate Employee Milestones

We’re excited to unveil a collection of five bespoke pin badges, designed in-house by our very own Jasper Smathers. Each badge represents a different service milestone: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years.

“Recognising our employees is not just about awards and bonuses. It’s about celebrating the dedication and hard work that make Collier & Catchpole a great place to work. Thank you to every member of our team for your contributions” says Tim Rowbottom.

Custom enamel badges and a thank you card will be awarded on the date of employee milestones, in honour of their dedication and commitment. With many of our employees having been with us for more than a decade, and our longest-serving member completing an impressive 41 years, recognising their loyalty is important to us.

In a world where job-hopping is common place, our efforts to create a supportive and rewarding work environment are paying off.

Over 50% of our team has been with us for five years or more, and we’re proud to have 22 employees with over five years of service, 11 over 10 years, eight with over 15 years, and four with over 20 years service at Collier & Catchpole. These milestones are a testament to the positive work environment we strive to maintain.

As we work hard to consistently improve and develop our service and product offering — our focus remains on building a supportive and appreciative workplace.

5 badges
10 badges
15 badges
20 badges
25 badges

Explore our range of high-quality building materials available for delivery and collection in Colchester, Ipswich, and Lawford, and see why our employees choose to stay and grow with us.

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Collier & Catchpole Wins NBG Award for Most Engaged Partner

We are thrilled to announce that Collier & Catchpole has been awarded “Supplier Voted Most Engaged NBG Partner (1-9 Branches)” at the National Buying Group (NBG) Gala Dinner in Liverpool.

NBG Award

This award is a huge achievement for us, as it highlights the importance of working in partnership and collaborating with suppliers to ensure that we deliver the very best products and services to our customers. We have always believed that successful relationships are the key to success in the merchanting industry, and this recognition proves just that.

NBG Award Tour Ipswich

Our win at the NBG Conference is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, but also to the suppliers who have supported us throughout the year.

NBG Award Tour Colchester

We are also incredibly grateful to our customers who continue to support us and share their feedback. The comments we receive on Trustpilot highlight the high level of service and quality that we strive to maintain. We’re proud of our excellent reviews and work every day to ensure we meet and exceed expectations.

NBG award tour Lawford

Well done to everyone at Collier & Catchpole, and a special thank you to our suppliers and customers for your continued partnership and trust. Here’s to more success in the future.

For more information on our products and services, or to read more reviews from our satisfied customers, visit our Trustpilot page or head to our website to browse our extensive range of building materials, all available for delivery or collection.

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The Three Wood Bears: A Masterpiece from Collier & Catchpole

We’re always proud of the effort from our dedicated team, and the lengths they will go to showcase a product range. Today we want to give a special shoutout to Jason Wood, Ciaran Wood, and Callum Wood (plus Gary!) — for their latest masterpiece of a TikTok video showcasing our Ipswich branch timber range.

wood
wood

The boys understood the assignment, not only highlighting our selection of timber products, but also their charismatic personalities — Be sure to check out the full video on our social media channels: TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Whether you’re after sawn timber, planed timber, chipboard flooring, or MDF skirting, we have you covered. Additionally, we stock timber mouldings, architrave, door frames, and door liners for a variety of construction and finishing projects. Perfect for both professional builders and DIY enthusiasts, our sheet materials and decking options ensure you’ll find the right timber solution for any job.

Explore our range of fence panels, fence posts, decking, and sleepers, ideal for creating stylish and durable garden structures. With a wide variety of timber products, you can build everything from garden fences to outdoor decking with ease and reliability.

Check out our full timber range and experience the quality and service we’re known for! (Wood family not for sale!)

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Guess How Many Teabags in the Jar Competition

Throughout November, customers took part in a fun in-store challenge, all for a chance to win one of 70 top-tier prizes.

The competition has us all scratching our heads, we had over 350 guesses throughout the month and the lucky winners have now been notified. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a big congratulations to our winners!

teabags

The correct number of teabags in the jar was 346. It was a tight competition, but here’s how the top guesses stacked up:
🥇 1st Place: Darren Wilkins, guessed 350, just 4 teabags off! He walked away with the grand prize of a Makita cordless kettle with two spare batteries.
🥈 2nd Place: Craig Ellis, guessed 337, securing his spot and winning a selection of high-quality workwear and tools.
🥉 3rd Place: Helen Kemp, guessed 358 and won an assortment of tools and some new TuffStuff work boots.

We gave away over 70 prizes in total, including workwear, boots, tools, and, of course, the grand prize of the Makita cordless kettle — perfect for making a brew on site.

teabags

We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in-store. Your guesses, enthusiasm, and support made this competition a fantastic experience for all involved. We hope you enjoyed participating as much as we did.

Big thank you to everyone who had a guess in-store and a bigger thank you to Collier & Catchpole, TuffStuff Workwear, Azpects Ltd, ACO Group, TIMCO and Keystone Lintels for sponsoring.

Stay tuned for more in-store challenges and fun competitions coming soon — and don’t forget to pop into Collier & Catchpole for all your building, landscaping, and workwear needs.