A NEW lease of life is being given to the much-loved hardware store on Launceston’s Southgate Street after being recently sold.

Taking over the reins from the Bickle family, who had been owners of the town hardware store since 1968, is Steve Calvert.

Mr Calvert will be re-opening ‘The Hardware Centre’, commonly referred to by local people as ‘Bickles’, under the new trade name ‘Bridge Tools’.

An ‘open day’ has been planned for Friday, September 23, to which the public are invited to come and view the newly refurbished store.

When asked if the renovations were going well Mr Calvert said: “Yes, they are good. We are getting there but still have a few weeks to go yet. It is a busy time at the moment for us as we are working very hard to get the store up to a high standard.”

It is hoped that the new lease of life being brought to this once popular tool shop will be welcomed by the town as ‘The Hardware Centre’ was one of Launceston’s longest running shops.

It was opened by Stanley Claude Bickle, more commonly known as Claude, and his son Brian in 1968.

Claude had previously owned a saddlery and ironmonger’s workshop on Newport Square in Launceston for 19 years before he and his son purchased the hardware store in the town, which was previously the Co-op butcher’s shop.

After trading for 47 years The Hardware Centre closed in 2015, much to the sadness of local people.

When the Bickle family started the hardware store, Claude and Brian gathered ideas from across the county for ‘a new modern store’. At the time of its closure, many loved the old feel of the shop harking back to a bygone age.

The new owner Mr Calvert of Bridge Tools, which has an existing store in Wadebridge, has said he will also be looking to open ‘a new modern store’ and will provide an extensive range of quality and value products to tradesmen, ‘DIYers’ and householders.

Mr Calvert already has a successful tool shop in Wadebridge, which has been trading since 2010, he sits on the regional board of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and said he will be aiming to provide the quality of service enjoyed by those who frequented ‘Bickles’ and hopes the Launceston shop will be as popular as the one in Wadebridge.

Mr Calvert told the Post why he decided to open a second store in Launceston, and why he was taking over a hardware store that has a deep local connection.

He said: “I didn’t choose it, it chose me as it were. I was heavily involved with the Federation of Small Business at the time and was working as the mid Cornwall branches treasurer.

“We put on an event at Bodmin Jail, a kind of networking event where lots of people came together and it was there that I met a guy, called Peter Rundle, who is a member of the FSB’s ‘East’ branch.

“Whilst speaking to him I mentioned I had a tool shop and had been looking for a couple of years for another premises to open a second store and that is when he mentioned to me that Launceston’s hardware store was shutting down.

“This then spurred me to look online and get in contact with Kivells. The opportunity was there, presenting itself to me, so I took it.”

Mr Calvert also said he hopes his ‘new modern store’ will fit in with the people and businesses of Launceston.

The store will be stocking a wide variety of tools and equipment, along with some more unusual items like stationery and Christmas decorations.

Mr Calvert said he is very excited about the opening of his new store, he said: “Absolutely excited, every day it gets closer and closer to opening and although we still have a lot to do and I have been getting up at half seven most mornings to start work and finishing at two or three o'clock in the morning, it will be worth it, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Taking over a business with such historic ties to a town will not be easy and Mr Calvert has some big boots to fill, but he believes the town will be welcoming.

With regards to competition for trade in Launceston, Mr Calvert said: “It is such an important place for the people of Launceston and we hope to add to what is already in the town. There is plenty of room for other businesses in the town, we don’t want to take trade from anyone.

“I am a great believer in reviving a town and I will be carrying on the policy I have in my Wadebridge store of if we are unable to help the customer we will suggest only other local businesses that we think will be able to help them with their specific needs.”

When asked if he will be splitting his time between his two stores, Wadebridge and Launceston, Mr Calvert said: “Not quite, I will be moving to Launceston as I also bought the flat above the store, so I can live upstairs and work in the shop below, everything really was just perfect for me.

“I have a manager over at the Wadebridge store who will come and help out when I take time off but I will solely be spending my time in my new Launceston store.”

Mr Calvert has said that he wants the new store to be open everyday of the week to meet the demand of the town and to be as convenient for local tradesmen and ‘DIYers’ as possible, he said: “I have noticed a lot of shops in the area seem to close early on a Saturday and Sunday.

“We will be staying open over the weekends because that is when most people carry out DIY work, we want to be there when you need us.

“The only day we will be closing is on Christmas day, so if you want any batteries I would get them now!”

Kivells of Launceston said: “We are pleased to see a similar business operating from the premises and wish Steve Calvert of Bridge Tools every success in the new store and Anne Bickle a long and happy retirement.”

For more information on what the new Bridge Tools store will be stocking, and for opening times, visit www.bridgetools.co.uk