About Us

John has been around fireplaces for as long as he can remember starting out by going out and about with Dave in the school holidays, not quite as young as the Victorian boys sent up the chimney but not far short! Fireplaces are all John’s has done for his entire working life so as you can imagine there is not much,[expander_maker id=”2″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]he hasn’t seen, he has a rather annoying habit for remembering jobs from years ago which whilst useful at times can get a bit wearing. He does have his uses and can tell you what fireplace should be in your property just by looking at a google image picture and if it’s in London can often tell you what was fitted in the neighbour’s house back in the 80’S when the shop was based in Hackney.[/expander_maker]

After starting work at 15 with a 5-year apprenticeship on the gas board Dave decided to venture out in the world of antique fireplaces. (Some of which were modern when he started.)
[expander_maker id=”2″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Dave is still here everyday ready to help and offer advice to any of the team on where they are going wrong, whether they ask for it or not. With nearly 60 yrs. experience in the industry, he is never short of a story or “interesting” anecdote and loves to share them with anyone who will listen. The phrase “back on the board” can normally be guaranteed to clear the office.[/expander_maker]

Jane managed to escape the family business upon leaving school and went and got a proper job! After a career in banking spanning 20 plus years, she got tired of running and joined the team. Jane takes care of all the paperwork and admin as that is not John’s forte at all, he is much better suited to being up to his neck in soot rather than paper.[expander_maker id=”2″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Although late to the game Jane has also been raised on fireplace talk around the dinner table from the time of sitting in a highchair so she still knows her stuff. You will find Jane in the office where she if the first point of contact for customers be that face to face, phone, or email.[/expander_maker]

After realising that a career as a professional footballer was not going to happen, Sam joined us as an apprentice. Whilst not related We have known Little Sammy since before he was born with Sam’s dad being Johns best man. After working hard Sam Became the youngest NVQ qualified chimney sweep in the country. He is now a fully qualified HETAS installer and heads up our installation team.

Will is our latest recruit to the team, he is 3rd generation in the business and the future lies with him (god help us all!). Will is now an NVQ qualified chimney sweep and is currently working towards his NVQ in solid fuel installations, with a view to gaining his HETAS qualification later this year.

Cooper if no longer a playful puppy living the life of luxury, at 7 years old it was time for him to start paying his way and earning his own biscuit money!

After all the Victorians were putting kids up chimneys by that age!

(Just in case this picture offends please rest assured Cooper was in way at risk thanks to the power of AI)