REGIONAL builders merchant firm Kent Blaxill yesterday celebrated the official opening its redeveloped site in Layer Road, Colchester. The new 4,250 sq ft purpose-built sales area, which combines the timber and heavyside departments, represents the biggest change at the site since the company moved there in 1963.

REGIONAL builders merchant firm Kent Blaxill yesterday celebrated the official opening its redeveloped site in Layer Road, Colchester.

The new 4,250 sq ft purpose-built sales area, which combines the timber and heavyside departments, represents the biggest change at the site since the company moved there in 1963.

Colchester MP Bob Russell cut a ribbon to mark the official opening, which also included the release of 500 balloons.

Each of the balloons carries a voucher, with Kent Blaxill making a £1 donation to Cancer Research for each one returned by its finder, whose name will also be entered in a draw for a holiday.

Kent Blaxill managing director Simon Blaxill said: “Kent Blaxill is ambitious to grow its business from Colchester from its current level of approximately £15million. The £500,000 spend at Layer Road is the single largest investment since moving to this site in 1963.

“Six generations of Kents and Blaxills have traded in Colchester since 1838, but business in 2006 is faster moving and more varied than ever before,” said Mr Blaxill.

“The new shop and additional 0.66 acre outside sales area bring the total site to over 7 acres. Our customers will benefit from more goods being sold more quickly from one sales area in an organised and safer environment.

“The new investments have enabled the relocation of our timber products next to the storage area for our external building materials. In turn, we can now present products more logically to our customers. For example, we have the largest offering of landscaping materials, in one location, in Colchester.

“We look forward to welcoming even more customers to the largest supplier of building materials to the trade and public.”