AB Carpets opens new showroom in Barrow after 'quite the journey'

AB Carpets and Flooring opened its doors on Meetings Industrial Estate on Park Road on Saturday (March 2).

The store, located just past McBrides' old site, sells carpets, vinyl, laminate and LVT flooring as well as roll stock.

READ MORE: Barrow's Carpet World to move to new bigger premises

The business is run by 57-year-old Alan Burrows who has 35 years of carpet fitting experience.

In 2019, he decided to branch out and start his own carpet business. 

"We started out just three months before the Covid pandemic," Alan said, "so we've had quite the journey."

"We had quite humble beginnings at a small premises at Low Mill Business Park in Ulverston.

"Due to our increasing products and customers we expanded to a bigger unit on Morecambe Road Industrial Estate around February 2021."

This unit wasn't without its setbacks however as a heavy downpour in September 2023 overwhelmed the store's gutters and it had to close for a few weeks. 

After getting the showroom 'back together' in October 2023, Alan and his staff found themselves in a predicament not long after.

Alan said: "We didn't want to have to move but our landlord wasn't renewing any leases on our premises so we were faced with having to relocate. 

"We're very happy with our new unit in Barrow however.

"It's is our biggest yet and means we can offer more products and ranges.

"Our whole team has been flat out creating a new showroom from scratch within the building.

"This has included putting in a fake ceiling, extra lighting and heating to keep the warm in for customers. 

"We have the warehouse here too so everything is all at one site.

"We have a very loyal customer base who have stuck with us the past three years throughout all the changes. We will be forever thankful to them for helping us get to where we are.

"We've looked forward to welcoming people back and we're here to offer the same friendly service as always.

"Anyone who wants to come down and see us will get a free complimentary coffee.

"There's also free parking at the new site with wheelchair access and a customer toilet."

Recommendations been coming in via social media from customers who have visited the new site already.

The new AB Carpets and Flooring store is open Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday by appointment only.

To find out more visit the AB Carpets Facebook page.