The team
Two people and a great many drawers. Gareth knows where they are. Kayleigh has started labelling them.
Owner, at the counter since 1985
Gareth started on a Saturday job when he was sixteen and bought the shop from old Mr Pugh in 2004. He has sold hardware in Tredegar through two recessions, a pandemic and the arrival of every retail park in the valley.
He knows what a Crittall window catch is, and he can probably find you one. He does the books in pencil and the VAT with a calculator, and he says it is all fine.
Paint, keys and the side yard
Kayleigh came straight from a painting and decorating course at Coleg Gwent in 2016 and stayed. She runs the mixing machine and the key cutter, and she handles the gas bottles better than most men half her age again.
She will one day own the shop, if Gareth ever retires. She is also the person to ask about what to do with a damp wall.
How the counter works
By the washer, the screw and the metre. There is no pack of fifty.
If the cheaper one will do, that is the one we will sell you.
Gas work and anything electrical in a wall needs a qualified person, and we will say so.
Logs, gas and anything heavy, to your car. You will not need to ask twice.
Hand it over the counter and we will find you the part, or tell you what you actually need. Monday to Saturday, and until 1pm on a Wednesday.