Flooring company grows by opening new trade counter

Portsmouth Flooring signed a six-year lease on a 4,366sq ft unit at 3:1 Central Point, Kirpal Road, Copnor.

Alan Cobb, who has been in the carpet trade for more than 40 years, founded Portsmouth Flooring 18 years ago and employs 16 people, including fitters and apprentices.

The trade counter will complement the firm’s long-established retail shop selling carpets and rugs in Frederick Street.

Managing director Alan, from Portsmouth, said: ‘The unit is a clear sign of expansion at Portsmouth Flooring as we needed the stock space and we are now wholesalers of artificial grass, having sold £80,000 worth in just 12 months from a standing start.’

Alan said that Portsmouth Flooring directly employs fitters for quality control purposes rather than sub-contracting. The firm also has two apprentices on its books.

Hughes Ellard, independent commercial property consultancy, acted for a private landlord in the transaction.

Russell Mogridge, the business space director for Hughes Ellard, said: ‘Central Point is a flourishing, fully-occupied trade park which was developed back in the mid 2000s when the city council sold off depot land for commercial and residential development.

‘Portsmouth Flooring snapped up the opportunity to lease the trade counter unit, with the option to later purchase the freehold. A key draw for businesses at Central Point is the location.’

Central Point occupiers include MR Electrical Services, builders H Monfared, specialist cleaning firm SSH, utility cost management consultancy Utilitywise, Antel, which manufactures chemicals, GSF Car Parts, Wallfast, which makes wall ties and structural fixings, Delta Ventilation and builders T Coleborn & Son.