A GARDEN supplies company, which began as a market stall in Chester almost 200 years ago, has celebrated the official opening of its new purpose-built premises after outgrowing its old HQ.
Dandy’s Topsoil, based on Sealand Road for the past 20 years, completed its expansion to Deeside Industrial Park earlier in the autumn.
Lady Janet Jones, High Sheriff of Clwyd, was on hand to open the new site at Easter Park, Fourth Avenue.
The family-run firm will create 12 new jobs after the Welsh Assembly Government confirmed it would help fund the move with a £250,000 interest-free loan.
Managing director, Adam Dandy, says the old site will be retained to store soil.
All other stock and the retail and e-commerce aspects of the company have relocated.
High sales of rock salt and aggregates have been key to what Adam describes as ‘a fantastic year’ for Dandy’s.
He said business is so good that the firm needed the new six-acre site to keep up with customer demand.
“The look and feel of the new site is a lot more professional,” said Adam.
“We now have more room, which will allow us to create more stock and reduce our lead times.
“By stocking more, we’ll have a lot more products ready to go when customers want them.”
As well as creating the new jobs, the move has safeguarded those of the 20 existing Dandy’s employees.
Dandy’s Topsoil was founded at Chester Market by Adam’s great-great-grandfather in 1826.
He now runs the firm with wife, Clare, who is office manager.
The couple live in Chorlton-by-Backford, Chester.
