The George Bence Group has expanded its business into Herefordshire with the opening of its seventh branch.
The multi-branded independent business, originally established in 1854, has continued to grow its branch network exponentially over the past decade. Paul Bence, Group Managing Director, said: “Ledbury is an area we have been looking to strategically position our mixed merchant model in for quite some time. The Branch team is extremely excited to build relationships with the local trades and DIY customers. Opening a second branch during the pandemic (following a new plumbing & heating branch in Cheltenham early last year) has been challenging, but rewarding, and I would like to thank all our staff and suppliers for working closely together in enabling us to seamlessly commence trading.
“We also feel proud to be able to donate over £5,000 to local grassroots sports to assist in the local community.”
Concluding the opening, Sir Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, said: “I was delighted to visit Bence Builders Merchants here in the constituency and formally open its new branch in Ledbury. It was especially pleasing to learn that Bence is still a local, family-run business, now in its 168th year, and currently being looked after by the sixth generation of the family that started the business. It is a marvellous achievement.
“The role, value and contribution of merchants in creating jobs and local prosperity should not be under-estimated. I welcome the fact that Bence Builders Merchants has chosen Ledbury to open its next branch. I wish Darren Jones, the Branch Manager, and this team all the best as they help local SME builders and DIY customers with their building works and home improvement projects as we seek to Build Back Better.”
