A former World Boxing Champion is adding his weight to the reopening of a building supplies branch in Sheffield, following a £250,000 refurbishment and rebrand.

Carl Froch MBE, a former Super-Middleweight World Champion, was joined by local Councillor Terry Fox to cut the ribbon at the Nunnery Drive branch of Frank Key Building Supplies in Sheffield, after its complete internal and external refit.

Three new full-time jobs have been created with up to 12 other roles being likely to be created in the next 12-18 months.

Chris Cunliffe, Chairman, Frank Key Group, says: “Our Sheffield branch is the standard on which all future Frank Key Building Supplies branches will be modelled. We have consolidated everything under one roof so that our trade and retail customers can find what they need, when they need it. Customers will also notice a fresh, clean environment, increased stock levels, new ranges of everything from electricals and plumbing to paints and general building supplies, plus our new Plant and Tool Hire offer.

“We’re delighted to welcome Carl Froch as our guest of honour. He’s a regular at our flagship branch in Nottingham. It’s a pleasure to have him on board to officially open our Sheffield branch.

“Local people might recognise the site as the former Builders Centre, which Frank Key Group acquired not long ago. After careful planning, it is the right time for us to launch the Frank Key brand and offer in Sheffield to serve the local community, businesses and tradespeople with our great range of products at really competitive prices.”

Councillor Terry Fox says: “Frank Key's branch refit in this part of Sheffield is excellent news, with new jobs and new investment providing bigger and better services for local tradesmen and the wider community. It's welcome inward investment in my ward and I wish the business every success.”

Carl Froch competed from 2002 to 2014 and held multiple super-middleweight world titles, including the WBC title twice between 2008 and 2011, the IBF title from 2012 to 2015, and the WBA (Unified) title from 2013 to 2015. He is now a boxing commentator and pundit.

Carl adds: “I’m always in my local Frank Key branch, especially since retiring! It’s a great place to go for all my building supplies and tools. I’m delighted to support the launch of the new branch in Sheffield and wish the company all the best for future expansion. Make sure you give this place a visit!”

Frank Key Group started life in 1907 from Daybrook in Nottingham. It has now expanded into a regional group operating across the Midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, with five building supplies branches and 15 plant and tool hire depots.