→History: restore some content from before comma crazy ip
|
No edit summary
|
||
Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Great Mills''' was a large DIY chain, consisting of around 98 stores across the [[United Kingdom]]. The business was bought by [[Focus DIY]] in December 2000, for £285m, which, in turn, entered administration in May 2011, with all stores closing by the end of July 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ee2ed9fe-865b-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0|title=Focus DIY to close 120 stores|newspaper=www.ft.com|date=25 May 2011|accessdate=6 September 2020}}</ref> |
'''Great Mills''' was a large DIY chain, consisting of around 98 stores across the [[United Kingdom]]. The business was bought by [[Focus DIY]] in December 2000, for £285m, which, in turn, entered administration in May 2011, with all stores closing by the end of July 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1058008.stm|title=Do-it-All sees room for improvement|website=bbc.co.uk|date=6 December 2000|accessdate=20 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ee2ed9fe-865b-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0|title=Focus DIY to close 120 stores|newspaper=www.ft.com|date=25 May 2011|accessdate=6 September 2020}}</ref> |
||
Most of the former stores of Focus DIY were sold off by the administrators, [[Ernst & Young]], in chunks to [[B&Q]], [[Wickes]] and [[B&M Bargains]] (B&M Homestore).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/06/kingfisher-buys-31-focus-diy-stores|title=Kingfisher swoops on 31 of struggling Focus DIY's stores|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13426192|title=Wickes Building Supplies buys 13 Focus DIY stores|work=www.bbc.co.uk|date=17 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/bm-bargains-buys-focus-stores/|title=B&M Bargains buys Focus stores|work=www.placenorthwest.co.uk|date=23 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref> At its height, Great Mills had approximately 3,500 employees, ninety stores nationwide, and over 20,000 products in range. |
Most of the former stores of Focus DIY were sold off by the administrators, [[Ernst & Young]], in chunks to [[B&Q]], [[Wickes]] and [[B&M Bargains]] (B&M Homestore).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/06/kingfisher-buys-31-focus-diy-stores|title=Kingfisher swoops on 31 of struggling Focus DIY's stores|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13426192|title=Wickes Building Supplies buys 13 Focus DIY stores|work=www.bbc.co.uk|date=17 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/bm-bargains-buys-focus-stores/|title=B&M Bargains buys Focus stores|work=www.placenorthwest.co.uk|date=23 May 2011|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref> At its height, Great Mills had approximately 3,500 employees, ninety stores nationwide, and over 20,000 products in range. |
||
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
[[Image:GreatMillsStoreFront.jpg|thumb|left|Great Mills (storefront)]] |
[[Image:GreatMillsStoreFront.jpg|thumb|left|Great Mills (storefront)]] |
||
Originally known as '''Clapton Building Supplies''', the store was opened in 1972 by Tony Blackburn, an unwell [[Dulux#Dulux dog|Dulux Dog]] and a staff of four.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/6901438191/|title=1972 Opening of Great Mills DIY store. Paulton, Somerset by radio personality Tony Blackburn|website=Flickr| |
Originally known as '''Clapton Building Supplies''', the store was opened in 1972 by Tony Blackburn, an unwell [[Dulux#Dulux dog|Dulux Dog]] and a staff of four.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/6901438191/|title=1972 Opening of Great Mills DIY store. Paulton, Somerset by radio personality Tony Blackburn|website=Flickr|accessdate=15 January 2017}}</ref> The store managed a modest turnover of £50,000, but within six months, the turnover had doubled.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.greatmills.co.uk/history.html|title=History|website=Greatmills.co.uk|accessdate=28 July 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331035727/http://www.greatmills.co.uk/history.html|archivedate=31 March 2001}}</ref> |
||
In the beginning of the 1990s, Great Mills launched '''Bay6''' (Basics). These stores were identical in size, look and layout to Wickes. In 1995, Wickes bought the six Bay6 stores from Great Mills' parent company, [[RMC_Group|RMC]]. Four were already trading, and two were under construction. |
In the beginning of the 1990s, Great Mills launched '''Bay6''' (Basics). These stores were identical in size, look and layout to Wickes. In 1995, Wickes bought the six Bay6 stores from Great Mills' parent company, [[RMC_Group|RMC]]. Four were already trading, and two were under construction. |
||
Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
By 2000, over 70% of the product range was delivered by the Great Mills fleet, two or three times a week. |
By 2000, over 70% of the product range was delivered by the Great Mills fleet, two or three times a week. |
||
In 1994, four of the worst performing Great Mills stores were rebranded into the chain '''No Frills DIY'''. These stores were [[St. Austell]], [[Salisbury]], and [[Northallerton]]. Other than external signage saying |
In 1994, four of the worst performing Great Mills stores were rebranded into the chain '''No Frills DIY'''. These stores were [[St. Austell]], [[Salisbury]], and [[Northallerton]]. Other than external signage saying ''No Frills'', the interior of the stores followed no corporate planning as the concept was to sell anything and everything, in an attempt to make the previous loss making store profitable again. |
||
Only St. Austell got close to being in profit, before the entire chain was shutdown with the sale of Great Mills. Whilst none of the stores got into profit before closure, all four did significantly reduce the losses, over their previous incarnations, as Great Mills.<ref> |
Only St. Austell got close to being in profit, before the entire chain was shutdown with the sale of Great Mills. Whilst none of the stores got into profit before closure, all four did significantly reduce the losses, over their previous incarnations, as Great Mills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7136/7526772766_20bc8b7d83_z.jpg|title=No Frills DIY|website=staticflickr.com|date=1994|accessdate=20 December 2020}}</ref> Openings for Great Mills in [[Colne]], as well as [[Halfords]], were planned by February 1997, but never happened for unknown reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6187692.north-valley-rethink/|title=North Valley rethink??|website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]|accessdate=7 September 2020|date=6 February 1997}}</ref> |
||
To further reduce distribution costs, a new ''Central Distribution Centre'' was opened, in July 1997. The purpose built development was fully automated, and operated computer systems, to monitor stock control, and to make sure deliveries were made on time to stores. In May 1998, Great Mills appointed Jill Keen, from [[Asda]], to be the new marketing director. She took over from Peter Bastin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/61095/diy-chain-great-mills-lures-asda-boss-key-role|title=DIY chain Great Mills lures Asda boss to key role|website=campaignlive.co.uk|accessdate=1 March 2017|date=21 May 1998}}</ref> |
To further reduce distribution costs, a new ''Central Distribution Centre'' was opened, in July 1997. The purpose built development was fully automated, and operated computer systems, to monitor stock control, and to make sure deliveries were made on time to stores. In May 1998, Great Mills appointed Jill Keen, from [[Asda]], to be the new marketing director. She took over from Peter Bastin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/61095/diy-chain-great-mills-lures-asda-boss-key-role|title=DIY chain Great Mills lures Asda boss to key role|website=campaignlive.co.uk|accessdate=1 March 2017|date=21 May 1998}}</ref> |
||
Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
The former offices were mainly used as storage for equipment for Focus DIY, and also as the [[call centre]] for the same company. The office building is now part of the ''Somer Valley Enterprise Park''. In January 2015, Great Mills, Paulton, was purchased by Wickes, which was owned by Focus DIY, from September 2000 until December 2004, being sold to [[Travis Perkins]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wickes to take on former Focus store with 50 new jobs expected|url=http://www.somersetguardian.co.uk/Wickes-Focus-store-50-new-jobs-expected/story-25848194-detail/story.html|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=13 January 2015|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> |
The former offices were mainly used as storage for equipment for Focus DIY, and also as the [[call centre]] for the same company. The office building is now part of the ''Somer Valley Enterprise Park''. In January 2015, Great Mills, Paulton, was purchased by Wickes, which was owned by Focus DIY, from September 2000 until December 2004, being sold to [[Travis Perkins]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wickes to take on former Focus store with 50 new jobs expected|url=http://www.somersetguardian.co.uk/Wickes-Focus-store-50-new-jobs-expected/story-25848194-detail/story.html|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=13 January 2015|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> |
||
The brand of ''Great Mills'' was purchased in November 2017, and relaunched, as an online retail store.<ref name="online">{{cite web |url=https://www.greatmills.co.uk |title=Great Mills |accessdate=April 26, 2018}}</ref> |
The brand of ''Great Mills'' was purchased in November 2017, and relaunched, as an online retail store.<ref name="online">{{cite web |url=https://www.greatmills.co.uk |title=Great Mills |date=November 2017 |accessdate=April 26, 2018}}</ref> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
![]() | |
Company type | Public company |
---|---|
Industry |
|
Founded | 1972 |
Defunct | December 2000 |
Successor | Focus DIY |
Products |
|
Parent | RMC Group plc (1979–2000) |
Great Mills was a large DIY chain, consisting of around 98 stores across the United Kingdom. The business was bought by Focus DIY in December 2000, for £285m, which, in turn, entered administration in May 2011, with all stores closing by the end of July 2011.[1][2]
Most of the former stores of Focus DIY were sold off by the administrators, Ernst & Young, in chunks to B&Q, Wickes and B&M Bargains (B&M Homestore).[3][4][5] At its height, Great Mills had approximately 3,500 employees, ninety stores nationwide, and over 20,000 products in range.
Originally known as Clapton Building Supplies, the store was opened in 1972 by Tony Blackburn, an unwell Dulux Dog and a staff of four.[6] The store managed a modest turnover of £50,000, but within six months, the turnover had doubled.[7]
In the beginning of the 1990s, Great Mills launched Bay6 (Basics). These stores were identical in size, look and layout to Wickes. In 1995, Wickes bought the six Bay6 stores from Great Mills' parent company, RMC. Four were already trading, and two were under construction.
An important step forward for the company came in 1992, with the introduction of a central distribution method of delivering products to its stores. This saved many motorway miles as deliveries were co ordinated, rather than having hundreds of suppliers delivering to the same store each day.
By 2000, over 70% of the product range was delivered by the Great Mills fleet, two or three times a week.
In 1994, four of the worst performing Great Mills stores were rebranded into the chain No Frills DIY. These stores were St. Austell, Salisbury, and Northallerton. Other than external signage saying No Frills, the interior of the stores followed no corporate planning as the concept was to sell anything and everything, in an attempt to make the previous loss making store profitable again.
Only St. Austell got close to being in profit, before the entire chain was shutdown with the sale of Great Mills. Whilst none of the stores got into profit before closure, all four did significantly reduce the losses, over their previous incarnations, as Great Mills.[8] Openings for Great Mills in Colne, as well as Halfords, were planned by February 1997, but never happened for unknown reasons.[9]
To further reduce distribution costs, a new Central Distribution Centre was opened, in July 1997. The purpose built development was fully automated, and operated computer systems, to monitor stock control, and to make sure deliveries were made on time to stores. In May 1998, Great Mills appointed Jill Keen, from Asda, to be the new marketing director. She took over from Peter Bastin.[10]
RMC Group considered selling Great Mills in March 2000, as Peter Young, chief executive, said the business “is not a core part of what we do”.[11] In July 2000, Focus Do It All emerged as the most likely buyer for Great Mills, as the chain was put up for sale.[12] In December 2000, Focus bought out Great Mills. The stores were all externally rebranded, though some kept parts of the interior branding of Great Mills.[13] Focus originally intended to acquire Homebase, but decided to instead acquire Great Mills.[14]
In May 2011, Focus DIY entered administration. Some of the Focus branded former stores of Great Mills were sold off, to other retailers, while others were left empty. The original flagship store of Great Mills, in Paulton, stood empty since the closure, until June 2015, when work began to transform it to Wickes, which opened in October 2015.[15] Offices, opposite the original store, served as the headquarters for the company of Great Mills, but stood largely empty after the acquisition by Focus.
The former offices were mainly used as storage for equipment for Focus DIY, and also as the call centre for the same company. The office building is now part of the Somer Valley Enterprise Park. In January 2015, Great Mills, Paulton, was purchased by Wickes, which was owned by Focus DIY, from September 2000 until December 2004, being sold to Travis Perkins.[16]
The brand of Great Mills was purchased in November 2017, and relaunched, as an online retail store.[17]
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)