Stuart Yates, president of the Painting and Decorating Association, cut the ribbon to officially open a new Kent Blaxill decorative store in Market Harborough on 16 March, which will serve both the professional decorator and home DIY markets.

It is the 14th store to be operated by the company, which was founded more than 175 years ago. Managed by Scott Templeman, the 2,900 sq ft branch is located at Unit B1, Welland Business Park, Market Harborough, LE16 7PS.

Declaring the branch open, Mr Yates said: “This is a fantastic facility – if it was in Chesterfield where I am based I would definitely be using it.”

Simon Blaxill, managing director of Kent Blaxill, said: “We have until now described ourselves as an East Anglian company, but this branch is taking us into the Midlands. It is really important to us to get right the family firm ethos with good service, and we are really looking forward to building a strong relationship with Market Harborough.”

The branch is stocked with an extensive range of paints and related products, with a strong focus on designer paints such as Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint Library, Zoffany, Sandersons and Earthborn, as well as regular trade brands such as Dulux, Crown and Armstead.

James Park, Kent Blaxill’s decorative manager, said: “It stretches our boundaries and will also enable us to service some of the bigger contractors working in Leicester, Kettering and Corby.”

Mr Templeman added: “The store has a big impact and I am really looking forward to providing a great service and building a relationship with our customers.”

Kent Blaxill will also be opening a branch in Kings Lynn in April.

Picture Caption: Stuart Yates, president of the Painting and Decorating Association, opens the Kent Blaxill Market Harborough store along with staff, suppliers and customers.