EH Smith believes that its new warehouse and store in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, shows “great potential for local builders” as it prepares to open in the spring.

The ¾-acre site, which formerly housed Redcroft DIY, has been re-developed by Solihull-based EH Smith and will offer around 40% more volume in the warehouse to provide local tradespeople with all they require on their doorstep.

The site, on Chester Road, is currently being refurbished after the firm received planning permission for the new ‘EH Smith local’ branch, focusing on collections and essential building products for local tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts.

Sean Furlong, EH Smith’s sales director, said: “The new EH Smith ‘local’ branch is perfectly situated in among other big brand-named shops and will ensure that we are ever more accessible to new and existing customers.

“The new warehouse will give customers a greater range of products and will operate as a trade and retail outlet.”

EH Smith’s program of investment appears to align with continued growth in the sector following the Brexit vote. The latest available figures from the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) showed that sales remained strong in the third quarter of 2016, with total merchant sales up by 3.8% on the same period last year with total ex-VAT sales of £1.43bn compared to £1.39bn in 2015.

Mr Furlong added: “The economy has so far defied predictions of gloom post the Brexit vote, and we believe the future of construction remains strong and positive.”