When the adjacent shop became vacant, Bill Nettelfield, owner of gift store Bill & Bert’s in Colchester, grabbed the opportunity to double the size of his existing store.
A grand extended shop opening took place the Friday before Easter (April 8), with Bill telling GiftsandHome.net: “Trade on the first weekend of opening went bonkers. It seemed like a November Saturday. The support from so many of our suppliers has been overwhelming, and customers from Colchester and surrounding areas have loved what we have done with the extra space, which now totals 4,500 sq ft.”
Bill adds that the opportunity to open the new store, by knocking a hole between the existing Bill & Bert’s, was too good not to take advantage of. “I would have kicked myself if someone else had taken the empty unit later in the year,” states Bill. “We have taken on more staff to make sure that, like all independents, we keep up the very high levels of customer service which always sets independents apart from the nationals.”
Prior to opening the original Bill & Bert’s in 2019, Bill’s long career in retail has included having a furniture store and a gift shop in Cheltenham. He also helped to set up the London Aquarium gift store, as well as the country’s largest chain of pop up store, Calendar Club, which he did with the original owners.
The newly extended store stocks a wide spectrum of giftware and lifestyle products to include fashion, bags, socks, home fragancing, games, lighting, hardware, pottery and glassware. “The range is endless and it’s one of the reasons that we have been so successful,” explains Bill. “Customers can buy something for themselves as well as for everyone in the family.”
Top: The newly extended Bill & Bert’s in Colchester.
