Gibbs & Dandy has opened a branch in Stevenage to carry on the legacy of a local builders’ merchant, Chas Lowe & Sons in Knebworth, which is due to close.

Gibbs & Dandy, which already has branches in Luton and Bedford, will open a new branch less than three miles away from the Chas Lowe & Sons site in order to service the customer base, and visitors will see some familiar sights.

As well as offering posts at the new branch to the entire Chas Lowe & Sons team, Gibbs & Dandy is paying tribute to the role that the business has played in the local community by erecting its old trading sign at the new Stevenage premises.

There will also be permanent recognition of the connection between the two in the form of a ‘business history’ plaque, and Gibbs & Dandy managing director Neil Lawrence is delighted to keep the link alive.

He said: “Chas Lowe & Sons is an extremely respected business in the region and when we heard that the site was going to be sold, we were very keen on ensuring that the community continued to have a merchant to turn to and that the great history of the business was preserved.

“We’re really pleased that the vast majority of the team have decided to join us in Stevenage, and we have also had some great conversations with customers about continuing to care for their business in the same way that Chas Lowe & Sons has done for so long.”

The new branch will open on 3 April on Gunnels Wood Park in Stevenage.