Ridgeons this month opened its second branch in St Neots as part of its new PlumbStock brand dedicated to heating and plumbing.

The 100-year-old Cambridgeshire business has added the brand to its group of companies.

The first PlumbStock branch opened inside the existing Ridgeons outlet in Hitchin in September, followed by St Neots this month.

Spearheaded by the head of plumbing, heating and sanitaryware (PHS), Pete Diamant, the brand is aimed at plumbing and heating engineers and complements the existing builders merchant offering.

A network of 12 infill and two new standalone PlumbStock branches are anticipated to be in operation by the end of 2015.

This will offer an even greater presence within the existing Ridgeons stores and follows the longer-term plan of creating a branch network of over 40 PlumbStock branded sites by the end of 2018. This expansion is predicted to create as many as 120 new jobs across the East of England.

Mr Diamant said: “We are really happy to now have two branches open as part of the new PlumbStock brand and can’t wait to unveil the Diss branch later in the year.

“The launch of PlumbStock now means we have a dedicated brand within the Ridgeon Group that is going to resonate with the heating and plumbing market and uses a brand name that clearly indicates our commitment to stock availability.

“The aim for PlumbStock is that it will become the largest independent in the region and be the merchant of choice for the plumbing and heating trade.

“Our USPs are service, location and of stock availability, plus, we’ll be going the extra mile with a few innovative touches in branch.”

The new PlumbStock branch in St Neots is located on Cambridge Road, and is open from Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm, and Saturday from 8am to 12pm.