Carpet and bed expert puts pleasing the customer as his top priority
Being busy is a good thing for the ever-popular Paul. First week back after lockdown he sold 19 beds and did 27 carpet measures, having managed to keep trading during the shutdown by leaving samples outside his shop for customers to take away. His experience – 39 years in the trade and 20 years servicing Longridge and Garstang at his A6 shop – is why people why people travel from near and far to him.
You’ll hear Paul explain how to clean red wine from a carpet or how to counteract the damage from spilling a sugary drink. He is knowledgeable about his products – and a key theme at present, with all the area’s new housing, is: Don’t think you have to buy from the builder. He cited a client buying a brand new house where the builder’s charge for carpets and luxury vinyl flooring (often in the overall package) came to £12,000. Paul saved them nearly £6,000. “We can save people thousands, our carpets are better quality and we have far more choice,” he said. “In most cases if you speak to the builder and sign an indemnity, they’ll let us in to fit the carpet.” Paul will request a customer’s budget so he is able to direct you to the best value carpets.
The former military policeman doesn’t simply sell floor coverings and his other product line of beds – he also aims for superb service and customer satisfaction. “I don’t want to get too big. I want to keep our reputation and you can’t do that if you have too much going on.” Paul will bring a product to your home or business, assemble or fit it and only leave when you are happy. “We’re not a delivery service, we’re a service provider,” he says. “If you do what you say, turn up when you say and give the customer the price they expect, they are happy. I try not to give people any reason to be upset.” Paul, 59, employs father-and-son carpet fitters Steve and Mark Gilletts, rather than contractors, and supplies homes all over Lancashire and beyond, adopting his own approach to business. “It’s all about trust,” he says. “About doing the job you said you would. Being honest.”
Customers come from afar. He regularly fits carpets for friends or family of local residents who live elsewhere – he once saved a daughter in London £300 on her carpet, even allowing for his travel expenses. For another client, he used to fit carpets in an Isle of Wight hotel until it was sold. “They feel more secure asking us to go and do the work. It’s not all about price – it’s down to trust – and we are grateful for the work.” If a problem emerges after fitting, he’ll ring his staff straightaway to fix it. “We don’t like problems to fester, we sort it out – it’s always doors.” Mathieson staff always move the furniture to fit your carpets at no extra cost – “it’s not a problem”.
Commercial clients include interior designers – bringing work for, among others, professional footballers – and rental properties on the Duke of Westminster’s estate. “We especially like domestic work,” adds Paul. “We enjoy the fact people appreciate what we do for them.” Paul uses trusted suppliers with proven products, rather than chopping and changing.
He’s on the A6 with good parking – visit his Facebook page or pop in to see what’s on offer.
Centre for bedded bliss
Beds, beds and more beds, plus expert knowledge and enthusiasm – that’s what you get from Paul Mathieson. Whether it’s a top-of-the-range Highgrove latex mattress infused with gel or a quality wooden bed, they have something for every taste, budget … and problem. Among nearly 15 beds on display are orthopaedic beds, mattresses that keep you cool in summer, mattresses to aid blood circulation or provide the ultimate in luxury with 5,000 supporting springs. The stylish Highgrove bed has 3,000 springs and is filled with natural fibres.
With 39 years in business, Paul believes in stocking quality products which serve the customer well and keep returned goods to a minimum. He is a fan of Highgrove beds – “the quality is second to none and they deliver every Friday so there’s no long wait for customers.”
Opening times
Tuesday – Friday: 9am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 9am – 3pm
Home measures can be in the evening
