A CHIMNEY sweeping business begun more than 20 years ago has evolved into a fireplace and stove business that is now proving to be a roaring success.

Experts at Gloucestershire Stove Centre are busy advising customers from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and further afield as more and more people realise that a fireplace provides the focal point of any room and makes a house a home.

The company was started by Alistair and Carol Davidson in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and its huge showroom in Brockworth, near Gloucester, has proved to be the perfect location to show off an enormous range of fires, stoves, fireplaces and cookers to satisfy the desires and needs of its customers.

There are 80 different types of fires on display and the range of cast iron chimineas on offer helps to extend the season for outside entertaining well into the autumn.

It's not surprising that homeowners travel from as far away as Wales and Leicestershire to view the extensive range of traditional and modern fires, stoves and fireplaces to suit natural gas, oil, electricity, wood and solid fuel.

The range of contemporary 'air wash' system fires, some with a 'turbo burner' means that smoke is blown back into the fire, making them environmentally friendly and generally cleaner.

Traditional wood burning stoves are extremely popular as homeowners try to beat the escalating cost of energy.

"We have a fantastic range this winter " said Mr Davidson. " including Town & Country fires, Yeoman, Saey, Hwam, Aarrow, Warmland, Morso, Stovax, Gazco, Broseley, Hunter, Burley, Romotop, Jotul, Woodwarm, Esse and Parkway as well as Esse and Nordica solid fuel cookers. Electric fires have never been better. There are stand-alone fires in a wide range of styles and award-winning designs. Seeing is believing with these new models.

"There's even a model that you can turn whichever way you want to in the room. We take great pride in our high standard of customer care and ask our clients all sorts of questions which enables them to choose the right fire for the right budget. Some customers pay us three or four visits before choosing the perfect fire for their home and we are happy to visit them and give a free quote.

"Nothing is too much trouble at Gloucestershire Stove Centre."

Mr Davidson has a unique insight into the business. For many years he worked as a chimney sweep. His son, Sandy, followed him into the trade which is still a thriving side of the business. Sandy travels across the Midlands and covers six counties cleaning chimneys.

"Buying a fire is an exciting experience and there's something to suit every home," he said. "We have plenty of free parking and we are in a very convenient location."

Fact File

Company

Gloucestershire Stove Centre

Manager

Carol Davidson

Business type

Selling, servicing and installing stoves

Established

1985

Web Address

www.gloucestershirestovecentre.co.uk

Telephone

01684 290952

Email Address

info@gloucestershirestovecentre.co.uk

Location

21 Ermin Street, Brockworth, Gloucestershire GL3 4EG