NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2025
Highlights
As we are moving from November into the final weeks of the year, the holiday season is beginning to take centre stage 🎄✨. It’s a great time to enjoy some festive moments 🎅, reflect on the year’s progress, and look forward to the opportunities the new year will bring 🎉Let’s sleigh this season with joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic! 🎁✨
Here’s a round-up of exciting updates, highlights, team wins and competitor insights from across the business throughout November.
What’s Happening: Installations
Field Update from Rich Jones
Following on from all previous newsletters, it’s time to reflect on the year and remind ourselves of the differences we make compared to other companies, and the difference we make to our customers by supplying a high‑end, personal service.
Reflection is important because it allows us to recognise the standards we’ve set, celebrate the pride we take in our craft, and stay focused on the values that make us unique. Our Installations team continues to set the benchmark: trained in depth, supported continuously, equipped with the right tools, and driven by genuine care for both craft and customer.
This combination is what makes us stand out, and it’s why our work not only strengthens Specialist Blinds’ reputation but also leaves a lasting impression in every home we touch.
👷🏻On Site This Month
We’re always receiving feedback from our installers about what they see on site, and it’s a powerful reminder of why our standards matter. One recent example came from a customer who asked us to supply and fit real wood venetians in a seven-part bay. They already had venetians in their lounge bay and wanted us to match them in the daughter’s bedroom.
Following our installation, the installer went downstairs to look at what another company had previously fitted, and he was shocked. The gaps were huge, fascias weren’t mitred in, and no child safety cleats had been fitted.
This kind of comparison highlights the difference Specialist Blinds makes. Where others cut corners, our team delivers precision, safety, and care. It’s not just about fitting blinds, it’s about protecting our reputation and giving customers the high-end, personal service they deserve.
I’m 100% sure this customer will now be looking at their downstairs bay wondering why they accepted such a shoddy job! Our installer managed to get a sneaky shot to show the unaligned gaps!
🧠 Quote of the Month
All the best, Rich.
Installation of the Month
Bespoke Blinds for a Stunning Living Space
This month we’re looking at a true team effort with Richard Jones carrying out the survey and James Harforth doing the installation.
Not the most complicated job we will ever do, but it acts as a perfect example of what we can do, that set us apart from the competition.
This stunning living space in a leafy suburb of Brentwood, Essex has two very large lantern openings. Both too long for even for our standard XL model, we specified DUO XL’s for each and with the openings at just over 1900 wide we were able to supply our wireless model, meaning a beautiful unobstructed view when the blinds are retracted. Discussions at sale and survey ensured the appropriate power was available in each opening, as the size is too large for battery operation.
Use of Duette Linen Silk 12404 Portland fabric, paired with white hardware, perfectly complements the room and by using our DUO XL model there less blinds and no fussy cross frames to reduce the size and have more blinds, which is what our competitors would propose.
A simple but stunning example of how our larger specifications add a finishing touch to the client’s home.
What’s Happening: Sales
Luxury Blinds for a Seaside Home in CORNWALL
This month we’re going to the seaside to showcase a fantastic property in Fowey, Cornwall. Situated in Ocean View, with panoramic views of the gorgeous Cornish coast, it is truly a location to envy.
Currently under construction and nearing completion, Kevin Rogers has secured an order for this stunning property.
With floor to ceiling gable elevations to several areas, which are both high and wide, Kevin has quoted our Bauhaus Aspect 3 blinds and Bauhaus freehanging side blinds.
The client requires the blinds to be linked to their professional home automation system so our Pure Power 40WT motors have been specified to allow integration.
Kevin is due to meet with Rob Scott on the survey to finalise colours with the client and there is the possibility of more blinds adjacent to the gable shapes, so watch this space for further photography and progress update.
Spotlight on Innovation
A Tailored Blind Solution for A Unique Window
Greg was issued the lead and in his own words – It’s not a window design I’ve seen in 37 years of doing this!
On meeting the client, they mentioned to Greg that a company from Bristol, confirmed as Appeal, cancelled their appointment having looked at a photograph as it wasn’t possible for them to do it.
The customer had received similar responses from other companies or no response at all, who clearly chose not to visit. The customer were pleased Greg had even just come to have a look!
Having come up with a proposal, Greg discussed the layout with Ellie, in particular the LH and RH sides to check if we could configure blinds to the shape.
Greg’s solution was to plan two manual shaped roof blinds pulling horizontally across the triangular windows to the LH and RH. Having sorted these two odd shapes, the remainder is covered by two motorised inverted gables and three freehanging side blinds, all using our Pure 10 12v motors linked to mains power by our Pure Max 5 transformer.
The client’s brief was a dim-out solution in a neutral colour so SuperCell Haze Desert with white hardware was selected.
Martin is booked to install in January so watch this space to see Greg’s innovative solution come to life and provide the coverage the client requires, that everybody else shied away from!
NOVEMBER Reviews Showcase
We’ve received some fantastic reviews this month, and we wanted to share a few standouts:
Superb service and quality on our motorised conservatory roof curtains
⭐ 10/10 Checkatrade™ – (Greg Hall / Martin Evans)
We’re extremely pleased with our new motorised conservatory roof curtains installed by Specialist Blinds. The quality of the product and workmanship is excellent, and the installation was carried out smoothly and professionally. We would like to thank Greg for his helpful guidance during the initial consultation and Martin for his efforts and support throughout the final installation. Their professionalism and attention to detail were very much appreciated. We’re delighted with the result and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Specialist Blinds to anyone looking for high-quality products – Leanne Mui
Honest, great people, expert technicians, quality product
⭐ 10/10 Checkatrade™ – (Derek Kay / Richard Turner)
Absolute honest, excellent service from start to finish. The job was a tricky one and the advice was excellent. The salesperson was careful not to over-promise and the technical expert made perfect decisions to make the project work. Competitive price and the final product is amazing, exceeding our expectations. We now have 3 electric blinds fitted in front of our sliding kitchen doors. They look amazing and work perfectly. Can’t recommend these guys enough. – Jim McGrath
Great Service
⭐ 10/10 Checkatrade™ – (Grant Johnstone / Jack Wesson)
Great experience. Grant came to explain how the company works and what I would get. Super easy and straightforward. Then a few weeks later the survey took place and then the installation. Absolutely nothing bad to say, they have done a great job. Love the blinds and the set up. I recommend them. – Thomas Papillon
World class service
⭐ 5/5 Trustpilot™ – (Grant Johnstone / Ryan Keegan)
We had a complicated kitchen with large sloping glass panels and lights near the glass. The kitchen was hot in summer and cold in winter. We now have amazing blinds that we are very happy with. Massive shout out to Ryan who installed them working non stop from 8am to 7:30pm and to Grant for patiently helping me find an electrician to move our lights. – Jim Purves
Excellent service, professional staff & quality products
⭐ 5/5 Google Review – (Andy Cruse / Richard Turner)
Specialist Blinds installed my electronic conservatory blinds 2yrs ago and I love them. I don’t normally leave reviews but I felt I had to share how good these blinds are. They keep my room cool in summer and warm and cosy on dark cold nights. Their customer service are really helpful and quick to respond. I chose a cream colour which looks just like a normal ceiling on dark nights. Can’t recommend them enough. – Alice Ogilvie
COMPETITOR WATCH
A Proper Finish — Blinds That Finally Work
Following the issues highlighted in last month’s newsletter — where the original Hillary’s Blinds installation proved far from “fully operational” — we’ve now completed the replacement gable and folding door blinds, and the improvement is immediate.
Rob Scott took the project through to completion, fitting a bespoke system that operates smoothly across both the gable and door sections. The customer finally has the level of control and the clean, precise finish they were expecting from the start.
Once again, Specialist Blinds has delivered what the previous supplier couldn’t — a reliable, beautifully finished, and genuinely fully operational solution.
What’s Happening: Marketing
Current Performance
- Despite the decline in leads earlier in the year, we have seen improvements in recent months. This is very positive news that we’re moving in the right direction for the end of 2025 and that we’ve built the groundwork ready for further improvements and success in 2026
- Q3 (July-September) we saw a 16% increase in leads compared to Q3 2024
- Q4 (October-December) is forecast to be up on leads compared to 2023 and 2024:
- Oct to date: We’re +12.4% on 2023
- We’re also +32% compared to the same period 2024 (To be fair, Q4 2024 saw a -19% decline compared to 2023 due to a major Google algorithm change, so the reality is more like +13% if we had broken even last year)
Recent Projects to Generate Leads
- New product page designs now being rolled out across the site, with over 40 new pages being written to cover various alternative key words (e.g. gable keywords like ‘vertical blinds for gable end windows’ went live last week) Example
- This work will continue over the coming weeks and into the new year
- Some of our main product pages have moved up a few positions in Google searches, which is a positive sign that Google will also like and reward the new pages
- Constant review and analysis of our GoogleAds to improve targeting and keywords. We don’t just advertise in Search but also across the Google Network (e.g. YouTube, Display, Gmail). Our current budgets are almost double what we were spending at this time last year! We will continue with these higher budgets as long as we generate the sales to justify the costs. Budgets will potentially increase again in Spring
- We’ve been writing lots of FAQ snippets which are now being picked up in Google’s AI Overviews. We’re currently above all of our competitors with 23 links
Customer FEEDBACK
Email from an existing customer from 2003
Dear Arnaud,
Firstly to thank you very much for taking the time to visit yesterday. It was a pleasure to meet you again after all the years since the last time we replaced our blinds. It was very helpful to talk through options and see samples insitu.
Thank you now for your quotation. We can see that it is so very much higher than the price we paid for the same product (crushed Parchment) on the same 14 windows (conservatory & kitchen) back in 2011. On that occasion we paid £1,500. Further back, in 2003, you installed our first set of blinds – in crushed light peppermint green. On each occasion we have been so happy with the wonderful service and great look of your blinds. We would love to repeat the custom but hope you can consider our loyalty to come to a better price point for us.
On considering the two blind style samples we have here (single and double skinned) Dave and I have decided, should we go ahead, it would be the single-skinned lower-priced ‘Solar Design Crush’ for which we would opt. We await the sample of the Duck Egg Blue to consider colour choice and confirmation that the factory are willing to make that one slightly longer, yet narrow, end blind.
I do hope we can come to a mutually acceptable price and look forwards to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Sian (and Dave)
Staff News
How long have you been with Specialist Blinds?
10 Years and 7 Months (it’s flown by)
What’s your go-to snack or drink during a busy workday?
Lucozade and a packet of Wotsits
If you could swap jobs with anyone in the company for a day, who would it be and why?
Steve Locker to see how he manages a sales and installations role 😉
Tell us about a memorable experience you’ve had at work.
Installing the blinds for the Qatari royal family with Ryan in London stands out. Incredible house in Regents Park
What’s a skill you’ve learned on the job that you didn’t expect to need?
A fake laugh, it’s now used daily when hearing the repetitive ‘blind man” jokes 🤣
What’s something on your bucket list that you’re determined to cross off?
A months exploration of Australia and New Zealand. The scenery and beaches look amazing 🌊🌴
If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be and why?
Japan, for the food and it seems to be a nice culture to fully submerge yourself in to. 🏯🎏🍣
If you could have dinner with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I’d sit down with Stan Bowles to hear all of the stories from his playing days as a footballer in the 70s with QPR. ⚽
November Birthday Celebrations
Happy Birthday to all our wonderful colleagues who celebrated their birthdays in November! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead filled with happiness, success, and good health. Here’s to many more celebrations! 🎉🥳🎉
🎉Congratulations🎉
Big News from Lex and Tasha – Meet Baby Sofia!
We’re excited to share the wonderful news that Lex Allan and his wife, Tasha, have welcomed their beautiful daughter into the world! Big brother Hudson is already over the moon about his new little sister, and the whole family is doing wonderfully as they settle into this special time together.
“We completed our family on the 19th November as we welcomed to the world our beautiful daughter, Sofia Winter Allan. She was born at 2:21am weighing 8lb 10oz. Both Sofia and my wife, Tasha, are doing incredibly well and we’re enjoying being in our little newborn bubble. Thank you everyone for your kind messages, we appreciate it soo much.” — Lex Allan
Wishing the Allan family all the best as they enjoy this precious time with Sofia and Hudson. Congratulations again, and welcome to the world, Sofia! 🎉💖👶
Factory Employee of the Month
Our employee of the month for November is
Indu Bura Magar🥳🥇
Indu is regularly nominated for employee of the month by the team. She is hard working and committed to her role. Her experience and skill in the cording department makes her an invaluable member of the factory. She is always available to help others and her speed and accuracy is something we can always rely on. Well done Indu!
– Ellie Smith-Anderson
Specialist Blinds Staff Blog 