Far from having closed down as reported recently, Jones Wholesale of Northampton is thriving - and is planning a significant development.
Currently the business is 100% cash and carry, but the planned installation of a new computer system in May is intended to prompt the creation of a delivered wholesale service, using the company's own fleet for local deliveries and carriers for trips farther afield.
Jones is a family business which has been established for more than 90 years, and which is now in the fourth generation of family management. Trading as a partnership, it employs around 60 people at its 43,000sq ft warehouse in Northampton, and has a turnover of £5.5m. It's the only non-food cash-and-carry in the area.
Product ranges include housewares, hardware, stationery, gardening, electricals and Christmas decorations, and key suppliers of hardware, housewares and garden products include Armitages, Bayer Garden, Bodum, Brabantia, Doff, Draper Tools, Gardman, LG Harris, Holt Lloyd, Hozelock, Kenwood, Leisuregro, Meyer Prestige, Morphy Richards, Pyrex, Scotts Miracle Gro, Sterling Locks, Tetrosyl and Thermos. The company publishes a promotional flyer every two months, sent to 5,500 registered customers by email and post.
The reference in DIY Week's Wholesale Leaders supplement to Jones having closed down was based on the fact that Jones Wholesale Cash & Carry Ltd is recorded at Companies House as 'non-trading or ceased to trade'. We did not understand that Jones actually trades as a partnership, and owns the non-trading limited company simply to protect the name.
The company can be contacted on 01604 756737, or at jones-bs.co.uk.