After seeing an advert in a local magazine, the husband-and-wife team of Paul and Caroline Chenery took a chance. They jotted a telephone number down, had a conversation and started Premier Windows & Conservatories.
That was in 1989, a year that saw the debut of Sky Television on British television screens and the first proposals of what a ‘world wide web’ could look like.
A lot has changed in the years since.
But Premier hasn’t changed a great deal. Sure, the premises are now bigger and its customer base is now far larger than it was in those early days, but the Oswestry-based installer of windows, doors and living spaces has remained committed to providing a truly first-class service and ensuring the company is family-run.
“Since starting the company all those years ago with my husband Paul,” Caroline begins, “we’ve ensured that Premier has a real family feel. Even with our growth and expansion, we’ve kept family front and centre.
“We think it’s incredibly important to do so at a time when that’s becoming increasingly rare in the industry. It also allows us to blend those family values with our ethos of improving every home; it’s something that really resonates with our customers.
After enjoying further growth, Premier relocated to bigger showrooms twice – first in the early 1990s and then again in the late 2000s. In 2008, the company joined the Conservatory Outlet Network, enabling them to benefit from an exclusive product range, marketing support and further investment in their Oswestry showroom
Today, Premier stands as the sole Premium Retailer in the area, having just been audited and accredited by the Yorkshire-based manufacturer.
“We’re thrilled with the ongoing support of Conservatory Outlet,” Caroline continues.
“They’ve helped us a great deal, enabling us to grow and get to the point where we can celebrate 35 successful years as a family business.”
“Looking to the future, Premier’s focus will always be the same it has been: transforming homes, providing the best service possible and putting family first.”
It’s with the future in mind that Caroline has recently announced that she’ll be following in the footsteps of her husband Paul and taking a step back from the business they founded 35 years ago.
However, Premier will remain within the Chenery family as Paul and Caroline’s eldest son, Ben, will continue to run the business. Ben started his career as a fitter, before becoming General Manager in 2013 and then becoming a Director four years later.
Ben will be joined in the day-to-day running of Premier by his wife, Kelli, who recently joined the company after working in HR for a nationwide company. She’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management of the office and will become the first point of contact for customers, whilst Ben will continue overseeing Premier’s installations and the operations side of the business.
“I’m delighted that Kelli has joined Premier Windows & Conservatories,” explains Ben. “Premier has been a family business for the past 35 years and as we celebrate this important milestone, I’m glad that we’ve ensured Premier will continue to be family-owned and family-run long into the future.”
Speaking about Premier’s 35th birthday and the change of management Conservatory Outlet CEO, Greg Kane, commented: “We feel extremely privileged to have worked with Caroline, Paul and Premier since 2008 and witnessed their incredible growth over the years. Premier has stood the test of time to become the best installer in the area.”
Greg added: “I wish Caroline a very happy and well-deserved retirement and I’m thrilled that with Ben and Kelli at the helm, they’ll continue to provide their customers with a top-class service. I look forward to many more years of a successful relationship with them.”
