Local businessman Clive Martin and his team at the Fired Earth showroom in Truro are celebrating a successful first year in business for the licensee operation.
Clive Martin, who has run the Out Of Wood bespoke kitchen and furniture business in Truro for nearly 20 years, opened Cornwall’s first Fired Earth showroom, which also serves the Isles of Scilly, last April and despite rocky trading conditions the showroom is going from strength to strength.
As Martin is the first to admit, the timing was not particularly auspicious. “Despite current uncertainty I took the decision to bring Fired Earth to Cornwall based on my knowledge of the company through Out Of Wood and my understanding of its perennial appeal. The showroom is a long term venture and it is very good working with such an enduring brand.”
Coincidentally, 2009 is also the 25th anniversary of Fired Earth itself which began life in 1984 selling traditional terracotta floor tiles from a rented farmyard. There are now 60 showrooms throughout the UK.
As Fired Earth in Cornwall anticipates its second year Clive Martin is bullish about its prospects. “We have an interesting market here with second homeowners and an important leisure industry supplementing the local housing market. We are confident that 2009 will continue to see us grow as we continue to combine our local business knowledge and technical skills with the quality handcrafted kitchen, bathroom, tile and paint products that Fired Earth excel at.”
