Stonemasons of Worcester: a year on from workshop move

Stonemasons of Worcester was founded in 2010 by partners Tom and Zoe Adams.

The company moved into their new workshop a year ago, after the University of Worcester decided to expand its campus.

They had run out of space in their previous workshop in Hylton Road, but it took the expansion plans to force a move to a larger location, something Mr Adams said needed to happen.

The stonemasons work on items including monuments and memorials, interior design and historic restorations. They have worked on projects as far away as Leeds and Sunderland. 

The company has aimed to work smarter by using machinery: "We're traditional masons that use modern technology."

Some of the headstones currently being worked on in the workshop (Image: Kieran Williams, Newsquest)

The move to working smarter has seen an increase in production of 35 per cent.

That production increase means the stonemasons can produce over 100 headstones and 20 kitchens every month.

With so much production, Mr Adams expects they may run out of room and need to expand again or open a second workshop.

Not all working smarter relates to production speed. The company has invested in over £80,000 worth of machinery for safety purposes.

Second year trainee Alfie Gregory uses the new wet wall (Image: Kieran Williams, Newsquest)

Mr Adams has worked as a stonemason since 1996, but took a break to travel for several years: "Growing up I was always told to get a trade first and then travel.

"I couldn't afford to travel so I joined the army."

After several years in the army and two tours of Iraq, Mr Adams came back to the UK to continue stonemasonry and joined a company based in Hylton Road. 

Stonemasons of Worcester owner, Tom Adams (Image: NQ)

Three years into working, Mr Adams realised that he wanted to work himself: "I didn't want a job working for somebody, I wanted to create my own path in life.

"When you're in the army you have a purpose and with my own business I've got that purpose."

Mr Adams left the stonemasons he was working for in early 2010 and began building his business from a garage. 

Lewis Neale works on a headstone (Image: Kieran Williams, Newsquest)

With the economic changes in the last few months, Mr Adams has noticed a slight decline in sales, but is not concerned about business: "You have to adapt your business model."

Looking to the future, Mr Adams hopes the company will be able to take on apprentices and train the younger generation.