Monthly Archives: November 2010

Into Ironmongers photographs are featured this weekend as part of the Albert Drive Christmas Sale in Glasgow.  Check the website for times.

The June edition of Hardware Today included an article about DIY classes run by Alan Hancock who runs Headcom Hardware in Ashford, Kent.  The classes are popular, offering basic painting, papering, plumbing, tiling, brick laying and advice about wall fixings and power tools.  For those ironmongers that have the space, the classes seem an obvious form of diversification, bringing added value to what is such a potentially powerful community resource.

Around a year ago I visited David Sim Ironmongers in Alyth.  Gregor Rintoul stands in the festive doorway beside owner David Brough.  I’m not sure how long Gregor has worked at Sim’s but I know its a long time.  His knowledge and experience are precious to the business.  I’d love to attend a local course run by someone like Gregor, knowing I could trust his teaching and then pop back to the shop as my DIY skills improved.

Interestingly, and somewhat sadly for someone committed to championing local community ironmongers, B&Q has quickly picked up the idea of running DIY classes.  Selected stores are currently testing out courses for children in the first instance.  What a good idea!   And they’ve had publicity not just in Hardware Today but on the national news.

Surely some community ironmongers in Scotland would find this idea attractive?  As someone with links to the new school curriculum in Scotland and also to Scotland’s colleges, I’d be happy to offer support.