Garry Cammidge, Ceramic Tile Merchants

This monthly feature focuses on a local business person, in a questions and answers format.

1.       How long have you been in the tile business?
I started in the tile business in 1986, so that’s 27 years. Gosh, is it really as long as that?

2.       What do you like best about the business?
The options are endless. You can get nice big floor areas in some of these modern houses, which have an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. The industry has moved on since I started. People would go to Spain or Italy on holiday and see some wonderful things in Spanish villas etc, like large format tiles, but couldn’t get them in this country. But we are now importing them. The amount of things we now have in our showroom is amazing.

3.       What promoted your move to a new showroom?
We decided we could do with more space, to show off our nice new material. We could have a section with tiles on the floor. The opportunity presented itself when this building came up for sale. Commercial property in Beverley is not easy to get hold of, but this fitted the bill nicely. We made a nice shopfront and have a lot of natural light. It was an epic project, but it was worth it. We have made it a lot smarter. Before, we had a cash and carry style warehouse, but now we have little settings and big display stands. It has improved the whole situation.

4.       What has been the most challenging aspect for you in setting up your own business?
It was probably the very beginning. I left a good job that was reasonably paid. So I was leaving that security. Although I knew tiles, I didn’t have a bank of customers. It was a big investment and a big risk. It was very exciting, but it was very nerve-wracking. I put everything on the line, personally, to make it work. The first 12 months were very tough, but subsequently I haven’t really looked back. I have loyal customers who keep coming back and I get positive feedback and a lot of customer referrals. It was a totally different mindset and I kept expecting a hurdle. Can I find a premises? Can I get the relevant permissions? Can I get the funding? But there were no obstacles. So I had to sit down with my wife and ask, ‘Do we want to do this? Are we prepared for the risk?’ But it has paid off, thankfully.

5.       Are there any markets you would like to get into?
We do deal with some designers at the moment and work with them in the selection of products, specified for a particular project. They are often big projects, like hotels. I would like to do more of that.

6.    What made you decide to set up in Beverley?
I saw an opening within East Yorkshire. There are people in York, Hull, Scarborough, but not all those places are on people’s doorstep. I wanted to bring a tile specialist to East Yorkshire. Beverley is quite a happening place, with things going on, so people will travel here, whereas they might not be so keen to travel to other parts. I see Beverley as the capital of East Yorkshire. People like coming here.

7.       How many people do you employ?
We are a very small team. We have three full-time and two part-time members of staff.

8.    Do you fit tiles, as well as supply them?
We only get involved in that on bigger projects. If it is a smaller project, someone getting tiles for a bathroom in their own home, then we can put them in touch with a good local tiler.

9.       What are your tips for fitting tiles?
My top tip would be to spend plenty of time preparing, before mixing any adhesive. It is all in the setting out and planning, so you don’t come to the end and leave yourself in a tricky situation, thinking ‘what am I going to do about that corner?’

10.   Are all tiles variations on a square?
Most tiles are square or rectangular. But you can get circular mosaic tiles, which come on a mesh that you fit as a whole, which generally comes as a 300mm square. You can also get pebbles. People often mix different sizes together, particularly on floors, to make a pattern.