SHOWROOM FOCUS

Left to right: Adrian Lount, Dominic Rogerson, Andrew Shepherd, Anthony Hewson (ASM), Paul Lount, Mark Robinson

Tavistock 600mm Compass Double Drawer Freestanding Unit

IN FOCUS...

BLUEWATER BATHROOMS

Bluewater Bathrooms is a York-based bathroom supplier and installer. We spoke to Adrian Lount, who runs the business with fellow director Peter Reynolds, about how he got started – and what he thinks the future holds.

Q. How and when did you get into the bathroom industry?

I started working as an apprentice bathroom installer, quite by chance, in 2006, and quickly learned the ropes – within 18 months I was ready to go it alone. The showroom opened in 2010 and we’ve never looked back.

Q. You established Bluewater Bathrooms over a decade ago; tell us the story about the creation of the company.

Peter and I were working together as installers, which had given us plenty of experience of bathrooms, and, to be honest, we just dived into it. We chatted about the idea for a while, and realised that there weren’t any other companies doing the whole process – from supply to installation – in York, so we went for it.

Q. We can imagine that a lot has changed in the bathroom world throughout your career; what has been the most significant shift for you?

One of the biggest changes is the scale of the choice available now, and Ideal Bathrooms really help us with this. The Ideal range is so extensive, which gives us as a showroom a much better chance of booking jobs, as we tick every box. Customers come in and don’t feel the need to look anywhere else, as they can see we offer absolutely everything. The other shift we’ve noticed, is that trends are cyclical. When we started, creams and beiges were fashionable; now that’s old hat, and the trend for colours is back in – just like the Seventies!

Q. Having a digital presence has never been more important; how has technology helped

Bluewater Bathrooms, and your customers, throughout Covid-19?

We used video calls to help our customers choose bathrooms by walking them through the showroom, so they could see everything. This allowed them to still progress with the project that they were planning, despite not being able to visit the showroom in person. It helps that we knew the right questions to ask to narrow their choices down, so we could then just show them the relevant products, although that’s how we work in person anyway. Asking the right questions makes it easier for them and for us.

Bayswater Fitzroy Cistern & WC, Slipper Bath and Clifford Towel Warmer

Q. You offer a fantastic and informative website for clients and the company has a presence on social media. Why did you decide to invest in these platforms?

It’s vital for getting our name out there. When we started, it was all about ads in local magazines, where maybe 100 people would see it. Now, with social media, you have access to a huge audience. You could have 200 people a day seeing your business, rather than 200 a month.

Q. What would your advice be to a bathroom retailer who perhaps hasn’t considered a website or having social media platforms for their business?

It’s a really important tool when it comes to spreading awareness of your business, letting people know who you are and what you do.

Q. Bluewater Bathrooms has worked with Ideal

Bathrooms for over 10 years; how does our partnership help you to meet customers’ needs?

We’ve been working together from the very start, from when we launched in 2010. In fact, I remember our very first meeting; it took place in my first ever house, as we didn’t even have the premises set up then! The Ideal product range helps us give our customers the best possible choice, and the friendly service and speedy delivery are the icing on the cake. We have a good working relationship with our rep, too; we know how each other work and he’s always on hand if we need something urgently.

Q. Which bathroom trend do you see making the headlines in 2021?

I think the big one is all the vibrant colours coming out, the blues and greens. People like that because they’re looking for something a bit different, more individual. With the greys and the beiges, we’re finding that a lot of people are wanting to make a bit more of a statement. We make sure to use coloured products in the showroom; it pays off because clients can see it in situ, and they can judge how it looks in real life – it helps to visualise their own bathroom.

Ideal Bathrooms turns 40!

We had some exciting celebrations that you got involved in. Turn back to pages 12-13 to read all about them.

Euro 2020

England got to the finals in Euro 2020! A big well done to the England team for getting that far and bringing the nation together.

Covid Restrictions lift:

As restrictions have begun to ease and we’re continuing with our “new normal”, we’re delighted to see so many of our customers continuing to thrive after such unprecedented times. With the help of the vaccine rollout, we hope we can continue to get back to normality.

Ideal Standard new retail strategy:

Ideal Standard have launched a new Retail collection. The collection includes the renamed Connect Air, formally Concept Air.

We are also excited to announce the Atelier Collection will be coming soon. To find out more about the collection, contact your local Area Sales Manager.

RUNNING COLD

Ideal Standard Sottini

As a result of the new Ideal Standard changes, Ideal Standard’s Sottini range will no longer be available in the UK market and Ideal Bathrooms ceased distribution of this range as of 30th June 2021.