Annie’s Hardware and DIY store to open in Long Sutton bringing back ‘human touch’ to customer service

A new family-run hardware store is aiming to bring back the ‘human touch’ to customers when it opens this weekend.

Proud John Hallifax, 55, has named his new business, Annie’s Hardware and DIY, after his granddaughter and is looking forward to welcoming customers to the store at the Emporium, Long Sutton, tomorrow (Saturday, March 8).

The shop, which can be found at 59 Wisbech Road, aims to supply and provide products such as gardening, aggregate, tools and homeware.

James Hallifax said: “My dad had this venture in mind which is daunting and exciting.

“We are a warm and welcoming family and we want to keep the tradition alive of good customer service.

“He can see himself sitting at the end of the counter and bringing back the way things used to be.”

The family, from Sutton St James, also run a haulage and storage company, John Halifax and Son - for which John remains the director.

James said: “We don’t want to lose the human touch in business and so this is for the community.

“We hope to be supporting businesses in the area and giving the opportunity for tradesmen and the public to buy affordable products.”

“If you pop in and see us we will try and help even if it is just to browse.”

Opening day will not be a ‘fancy’ occasion but there will be some takeaway food, bacon butties on offer to customers who pop in when the store opens from 7.30am.

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