New merchant beats the pandemic in its first year

Founders Chris Walker and Iain Fay, who have worked in the building and construction industry for over 25 years, launched the business in Rochdale just two months prior to the first Covid-19 lockdown.

In its first full year, the business hit a turnover of over £1.5m and in the first week of 2021, its turnover matched the first two months of 2020. Its staffing level has also increased to 11, it occupies two units on its industrial estate location and there are three delivery vehicles making deliveries until 9pm six days per week.

“We took a chance and made every effort to stay open when others closed,” they said.

As other suppliers in the area closed under the national lockdown, Castleton took the decision to remain open as an essential retailer, quickly learning what was needed to operate in a Covid-secure way. Its customer base expanded beyond all expectations.

“It’s hard to explain what we’ve experienced as a new business over the past 12 months,” said Chris Walker.

“Back in January last year, I’d given up my job and taken a huge risk to set up on our own. We were working every hour to get our unit open, grafting into the night with no lights or utilities at our new premises, using the beams from our car headlights to get the unit stocked.

“The pandemic hit, which we could never have planned for and we had two options. Close, and probably lose the business within months, or find out how to open safely and carry on.” Now the business is open seven days per week, with several family members involved.