Showroom offers window of opportunity to tradespeople (From York Press)

Showroom offers window of opportunity to tradespeople

11:30am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Business news

A SHOWROOM which enables tradespeople to display their skills has been backed by York Central MP Hugh Bayley.

Mr Bayley met Mike Beaufoy, chairman of Inhouse Design & Build, who established the business in Boroughbridge Road to provide a first port of call for people looking to make home improvements.

Mr Beaufoy, a builder with 40 years experience, hopes to help keep good quality tradesmen in work during difficult economic times, by giving them a shopfront and providing confidence to customers that they are part of a bigger business they can return to if there are any problems.

He opened the showroom last year, investing about £120,000 in a property that had been left empty for several years.

Mr Beaufoy ensures all the tradespeople are tested and checked. He also arranges for external mystery shoppers to visit the premises on a regular.

The showroom includes a 3D computer programme which helps people visualise their projects. It also has a range of unusual and innovative products to inspire customers including handmade wooden tree houses based on York’s medieval Shambles.

Mr Bayley said: “Builders are going through a very tough time. The skills of qualified and experienced tradesmen are the key to getting a job done well, and it is vital to keep their skills through the economic downturn. Looking around the building, you wouldn’t believe it was once derelict. I am glad it has been put to good use and in the process helped to create jobs for highly skilled tradespeople. A service has been created which, I hope, will benefit the community and keep people in work.”