Smiths Hire marks anniversary year with expansion plans

Independent equipment hire firm Smiths Hire is planning to open three new branches as it celebrates its 50th year.

The Fylde company holds a regular place in Lancashire Business View's Hot 100 list of top-performing SMEs. It currently operates 13 depots in locations including Leeds, Manchester, Preston and Liverpool, as well as its Blackpool headquarters.

The business, which employs 152 staff across its sites, is also reporting record turnover and profit this year despite the restrictions of the Coronavirus lockdown.

In 2018 and 2019 the company won the HAE Awards Hire Company of the Year title, a major industry award, and has been shortlisted for the 2020 prize alongside national names like GAP Group and Speedy Hire.

Now it plans to open a new location in Morecambe, servicing the Lancaster area, Burnley, and another northern city location.

David Smith, managing director at Smiths Hire, said: "Fifty years is an incredible landmark for the business which has now grown from its roots in Blackpool to develop a national reputation.

"As every business has done, we’ve faced challenges this year but the lockdown has seen a marked increase in orders via the website from people who now have more time to carry out DIY projects and home or garden improvements."

The business was advised on the opening of its latest three sites by a team at Napthens solicitors led by Commercial Property partners Martin Long and Paul Hardy.

Napthens has advised Smiths Hire for the full 50 years that the business has operated, and even longer dating back to when the company was a coal merchant business.

Martin Long said: "Smiths Hire is a well-known name on the Fylde Coast and beyond and it’s been great to see the business grow for so many years. As a legal advisor to Smiths for more than 50 years, Napthens has advised on the many steps of this growth as the business has opened new depots to meet demand.

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