Bernsteins Story
These were the headlines in the local press just weeks before Christmas last year and for many of the Bernsteins workforce, these unfortunate events were the end of an era.
The Bernstein Group were arguably the most successful Kitchen manufacturing company that this country has produced and the quality of the Bernstein products gave way to a constant flow of business from all corners of the country and beyond. Quite how they came to collapse in the latter months of 2008 is much a question to us as the thousands of happy customers who returned for the products time and time again. Mismanagement, lost contracts or cashflow... It certainly wasn't anything to do with the product...that we know, as these brands live on...
It is with this knowledge and the faith in the product, that John Nield and Ann Sayer who between them have given almost 30 years of service to Bernstein Group and bgh, decided, with the help of Mike Smith (who himself had a 26yr association with Bernsteins as sub-contractor and account holder) to resurrect the brand almost immediately.. and out of the ashes has risen Bernsteins Kitchens Ltd.
With a new location and showroom within a short distance from the old factory, John, Ann and Mike are offering the same quality products that were available at the factory shop, at typically fantastic prices. Their knowledge and understanding of these products ensure that any Kitchen they sell will be the right choice for the customer.
Ann who is now showroom Manager at the new shop said, "When the news came that I was about to be out of work, I couldn't believe it, I loved my role in the factory shop at Bernstein's and couldn't imagine working anywhere else. I met lots of great people on a daily basis and as a local girl, couldn't imagine Westhoughton without BGH! It was obvious after speaking to John, who had worked in the warehouse for 18 years, felt the same way and when he mentioned opening up on our own I wasn't sure what lay ahead.. but something just felt right,”
"I'd watched a documentary on TV about the manager of a Woolworths store opening up again as Wellworths" "and thought.... if they can do it.... so can we", "Everything's just snowballed since, now we're open for business with our very own shop.”
Having secured the old Bernstein phone number and trading with all our old suppliers, we're now ready to carry on offering the people of Bolton, Wigan and beyond all the familiar Bernstein products, like the Four Seasons and Lifestyle ranges plus a few additions we’ve introduced to compliment these award winning kitchens….
John laughed, “its just like the old bgh factory shop really…only a bit posher”… “feels like we’ve never been away”
“Seriously though,” “having worked in the factory shop and warehouse for over 20yrs, we feel we have a pretty good understanding of what the customer want and expect… so now feel more able to deliver a complete first class service without the restrictions we had whilst working for such a large company” “hopefully making us more efficient and a lot easier to do business with”
The new showroom at 561-565 Bolton Rd (Old Sofa Shop), is already trading but the grand opening is due at the beginning of Sept 2009.
We have now opened our New Trade Centre at Central House, Great Acre, Whelley, Wigan (next to A+P. COLE MOTORS.) ...! where you can 'pick up' complete off the shelf kitchens, all traders welcome old and new.....!
