JULY NEWSLETTER 2026
We’ve smashed summer! Record after record!
We’ve had four months of record sales and counting! After record-breaking results in April, May and June, July has smashed them all with a huge 50% jump in sales.
We’ve been building towards a bigger plan to catapult our growth, and everything we’ve put in place is starting to pay off. To every one of our teams: THANK YOU! We know it’s been an incredibly busy period for everyone, and this just shows what we’re capable of as a business. We’re reaching more customers than ever, and every single department has turned that opportunity into results. Marketing and Sales, Customer and Contracts, Factory, Installers and everywhere in between – your efforts are exactly why we’re seeing these fantastic results.
Here’s a round-up of exciting updates, highlights, team wins and competitor insights from across the business throughout July.
What’s Happening: Installations
Update from Rich Jones
🤝 A Big Thank You to the Team
Firstly, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone across the team for their continued hard work and commitment. The effort being put into managing both surveys and installations is not going unnoticed, especially with the volume of orders currently moving through the business. 🙌
We know the workload has been challenging at times, but your professionalism and dedication continue to ensure that we’re delivering the highest standards for our customers.
The good news is help is on the way. As a reminder, we’re actively recruiting, and there is a £2,000 referral reward available for any successful candidate introduced. (terms and conditions apply). If you know somebody who would be a good fit for the team, please put them forward. Thank you to those that’s put some forward already.
On top of the workload, the recent heat has certainly added another challenge. Anyone fitting lantern blinds or roof systems will know exactly what I’m talking about. Hot profiles, scorching rails, and even burnt fingers have become part of the daily battle. It’s not an easy environment to work in, but all of you continue to push through, adapt, and get the job done safely and professionally. Your efforts are genuinely appreciated.
So, thank you again.
🧠 Thinking Differently to Deliver Safely
We’re seeing more and more projects that require creative thinking and careful planning due to difficult access, awkward spaces, and challenging site conditions.
A recent example was a project sold by Steve at the Ickworth Hotel in Suffolk, involving 32 Pinoleum blinds at 6.7 metres high. Whilst the height itself wasn’t excessive, the environment presented several challenges, including numerous obstructions, tie bars, chandeliers, and access restrictions.
Initially, a mobile tower seemed like an option, but with both the survey and installation requiring movement around the space, and some surveying taking place overnight, it quickly became apparent that repeatedly assembling and dismantling towers would not be practical or efficient.
Instead, a vertical lift provided the safest and most effective solution. Although slow in operation, it allowed the team to navigate around the obstacles safely while maintaining productivity and minimising disruption to the client.
As it’s a restaurant we can only work through the night, most importantly, the job was priced correctly from the outset, ensuring the client understood the access requirements and allowing us to deliver the project to the expected standard.
To give everyone an insight into the challenges involved, here’s a video from the night-shift survey at the Ickworth Hotel in Suffolk. It highlights the scale of the project, the access restrictions we faced, and why careful planning and the correct equipment were essential to completing the work safely and efficiently.
It’s also worth remembering that equipment such as vertical lifts and other powered access platforms can only be operated by suitably trained and certified personnel. Alongside this, detailed risk assessments and method statements must be completed and submitted to the client before works commence. Whilst this can sometimes add time to the planning process, it ensures we remain compliant, protect ourselves and others on site, and continue delivering projects to the highest professional standard.
This is a great example of how we continue to adapt our approach to suit individual projects rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution. Our focus remains on completing installations safely, professionally, and to the highest standard possible.
In fact, I was recently told by an installer working for a competitor that anything above three metres is declined unless the customer can supply and build access equipment, the priority is fitting as many jobs as possible in a day. Whilst every business has its own approach, it’s a reminder of where we sit in the within the industry.
We don’t focus on quantity over quality. We focus on delivering the right solution, overcoming challenges, and ensuring every installation is completed safely and to the customer’s satisfaction. That’s something the entire team should be proud of.
🎥 Video showcasing the overnight survey, access challenges, planning requirements, and specialist equipment used by the team.
🧠 Quote of the Month
All the best – Rich.
Installation of the Month
“Oh I do like to be beside the seaside……”
Installation of the month goes to this stunning property in Whitstable, Kent, which is literally on the sea front, with the front lawn stretching down to the King Charles III costal path, which tops the shingle beach. With stunning panoramic views across the Thames Estuary this property occupies a truly enviable position.
With plenty of large windows to take advantage of the stunning views, there is an obvious need to provide shading for insulation and privacy. A combination of our Bauhaus Aspect Gable blinds and Pure Free Hanging Window blind in Dimout Duette Egyptian Cotton blinds give perfect coverage to the master bedroom. The versatile Nordic Drape blind gives flexible coverage across the second bedroom, dining room and lounge, allowing light to flood the room or with a simple rotation closing off the outside world and creating private cosy space.
The combination of cream fabrics, custom rail colour and millimetre perfect installation make the blinds fit seamlessly into the property. A great specification from James and a lovely installation from Lex and one to be proud of. Well done to all involved.
What’s Happening: Sales
“Glory, Glory Man United….”
Not a song that everybody reading this newsletter will appreciate but this penthouse property overlooking the Salford Quays in Manchester and providing fabulous views of the city and the mighty Old Trafford Stadium (pause for the boos!) make this property this month’s stand out sale.
With basically the whole elevation of the living area glazed it makes for a fantastic aspect but quite an uncomfortable area to be in, given the recent temperature extremes. With the glazing pitched and a working height of 6.2 metres and ceiling obstructions including lighting rigs, not to mention the fact that the job is on the 16th floor, this looked to be a challenging job to take on!
Paul Herrington has quoted Pure roof blinds combined with Pure 10 motors and a Max transformer, along with our Max Home Hub to provide flexibility of operation and by using Duette Granite fabrics the property will get excellent shading from the glare and heat which is caused by the large expanse of glazing.
With careful planning with the client and the concierge, delivery of access equipment was resolved, and survey has already been completed, with installation due to take place in August.
An excellent example of where we excel, overcoming access and height issues to provide coverage that the client is desperate for. Well done Paul.
There is an obvious downside though. You won’t be able to see the mighty Old Trafford when the blinds are extended (pause for more boos!)
Product Manual Update
Updated Product Manual Now Available
We’re pleased to share that our newly updated Product Manual is now available. One of the biggest improvements is that products are now organised into clear sections, making the manual much easier to navigate. This will not only help experienced team members find information more quickly but will also be a valuable resource for new staff as they get up to speed.
We’ve already received positive feedback from a number of colleagues, which is great to hear. As the Product Manual is such a crucial part of everyday work for our Sales Team, Installers and Contracts Team, our goal has been to make it as user-friendly and practical as possible.
Working alongside Kevin and Duarte, we’ve been working hard to add the latest motors and specifications, including the new TDBU motor and the Benthin Battery motor, for Scandi Vertical blinds and Nordic Drapes, ensuring the manual remains up to date with our product offering.
The work doesn’t stop here—our Price List will soon be receiving a similar refresh, with the same focus on improved organisation and ease of use.
We hope these updates make finding the information you need quicker and easier, helping to support everyone in their day-to-day roles.
What’s Happening: Marketing
Instagram – Viral post
As mentioned last month, Martin took some lovely shots when he returned to a customer’s home for a service call – return visits are the perfect opportunity for the installation team to get extra shots in a fully furnished room.
The video was posted on 11th July, and it went viral almost immediately. It now has a total of 765k views and 39.7k likes! Well done, Martin!
GOOGLE ADS
With the high demand for shading solutions this summer, we’ve been keeping a very close eye on our Google Ads and budgets. We’ve benefitted from significant savings by strategically switching budgets across our different ad campaigns.
With the increase in conversions (people enquiring rather than just browsing), the cost per enquiry is currently half compared to earlier in the year.
New Digital brochures
They’ve been a long time coming, but they’re finally here…
We have created new individual product brochures, which are all available to download from the website:
The other product brochures will be worked on in due course. In the meantime, we have retained our original main brochure for the ‘All Blinds’ option.
JULY Reviews Showcase
We’ve received some fantastic reviews this month, and we wanted to share a few standouts:
Wow!!
⭐5/5 Trustpilot™ – (Ryan Keegan)
Today I had conservatory blinds fitted. I cannot express how incredible they look and how they have totally transformed the room. The quality of the product is outstanding and the workmanship impeccable.
Ryan fitted the blinds and his work is perfection. I do not say that lightly as I am very fussy. Ryan has exceeded all of my expectations and I am truly delighted with his ability, professionalism and attention to detail. He is also a lovely and respectful gentleman.
Thank you to all the team. I would recommend Specialist blinds and the fitter Ryan unreservedly. – Tracy Keeley
Customer Email – (Jeff Cox)
Jeffrey Cox did an exemplary installation for us today. He was prompt, efficient and very tidy.
We are thrilled with our lantern blind and congratulate your company on its quality. – Gerald Oates
Customer Email – (Martin Evans)
I’ve been looking for somewhere to post my appreciation of a job well done by Martin today.
The quality of his work and the continual hours he put in was a credit to your business.
Please re post this as you feel fit and pass on my regards to Martin from within your business.
Thanks again to all of you.
Best regards
Phil Maidment
Competitor Watch
Having read a recent Facebook post, it would appear that Hillarys are letting the majority of their customers down by extending lead times on their existing orders. It also sounds like the sales team have to inform their own customers of these delays.
While our lead times are longer than Hillarys, we believe it’s best to be realistic and honest up front to avoid disappointment, complaints and negative reviews. We have seen unprecedented demand this summer compared to previous years. Inevitably a few of our customers have been affected, but they have quickly been informed of any delays by our Contracts team.
Overall, the majority of our orders are being dealt with within the timescales quoted. Well done to all concerned for doing everything you can to keep our customers happy during this exceptionally busy period.
Putting a Poor Blind Installation Right
One of Clare Walker’s recent customers initially contacted her to provide a quote for the shaped windows above the patio door and windows in their Lean-To conservatory. During the visit, Clare discovered that Hillarys Blinds had previously installed Perfect Fit blackout blinds throughout the conservatory but had been unable to offer a solution for the shaped windows.
Unfortunately, the installation fell well below expectations. Several of the Perfect Fit frames had not been fitted correctly, with some sitting noticeably skewed, while the blind fabric had been cut too short, leaving visible gaps between the fabric and the frames. The customer was also unaware that blackout blinds are generally not recommended for conservatories.
Disappointed with both the quality of the installation and the product that had been recommended, the customer successfully obtained a full refund from Hillarys Blinds. They have now chosen to proceed with Clare, who has recommended a more suitable blind solution for the entire conservatory, including the shaped windows, and will ensure everything is fitted to our usual high standard.
Staff News
🌟 A Little About Me — In My Own Words
Hello everyone! Since I joined the company back in December 2009, I’ve been settling in, finding my feet, and trying not to cause too much mischief. I thought I’d share a bit about myself — the real me — so here goes.
🌱 My Garden Adventures
When I’m not at work, you’ll almost certainly find me pottering around the garden. I call it pottering… my bank account calls it “a problem.” I’m a complete shopaholic, especially when it comes to buying things for my grandchildren — and yes, I fully admit I buy just as much for myself. If there’s a plant, a pot, or a garden ornament I don’t need, I’ll still find a way to justify it.
🍵 Tea Is My Sport
Some people play football. Some play tennis. Me? I play tea. A proper brew is my daily ritual, my hobby, and my emotional support system. I take it very seriously — Olympic‑level seriousness.
✈️ My Dream Holiday
If I could go anywhere, I wouldn’t choose one place… I’d choose the whole world. I want to travel everywhere, meet everyone, and probably buy garden ornaments in every country I visit.
🧹 Job Swap Fantasy
If I could swap jobs with anyone here for a day, I’d pick the cleaner — because working two hours or less sounds absolutely magical. I’d be finished before my tea even cooled.
👨👩👧👦 Bucket List Dreams
Top of my bucket list is a massive family holiday with all my nearest and dearest. The kind of holiday where you need walkie‑talkies, colour‑coded T‑shirts, and a family spokesperson.
🎤 Dinner With Alfie Boe
If I could have dinner with anyone famous, it would be Alfie Boe. I’d sit there with my tea, enjoying him singing Bring Him Home from Les Misérables. I’d probably cry. He’d probably pretend not to notice.
☘️ My Irish Side
One thing most people don’t know about me is my Irish family connections — and yes, I can Irish dance. But don’t be asking me to perform in the office. Not now. Not yet. Maybe after a few teas.
✨ That’s Me!
JULY Birthday Celebrations
Happy Birthday to all our wonderful colleagues who celebrated their birthdays in JULY! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead filled with happiness, success, and good health. Here’s to many more celebrations! 🎉🥳🎉
WeLCOME TO OUR NEWCOMER
We would like to introduce you to our newest team member who joined us at the start of July. Please join us in welcoming Amber, who has come on board as our Content Specialist.
She is taking the lead in showcasing our expertise, talents and dare we say our personality out there to the wider world. We are excited to see the changes come as she settles into her role.
Amber Taylor
CONTENT SPECIALIST
“I’m thrilled to have joined Specialist Blinds as a Content Specialist and to be stepping into an exciting new industry.”
Hello! Thank you all for the very warm welcome! I’m incredibly excited to be on board. My background is in luxury hospitality marketing, where I’ve had the pleasure of working with Michelin-listed restaurants and chefs including Maison François and José Pizarro, leading content creation, social media and PR teams. Alongside that, I’ve built up a diverse freelance career in marketing and business consultancy, helping companies optimise performance through AI solutions, marketing strategy and digital innovation.
The opportunity to join a market leader like Specialist Blinds was one I couldn’t pass up. It’s been brilliant to receive such a warm welcome from the team and I can’t wait to help Specialist Blinds continue to grow and dominate the sector. It also doesn’t hurt that I sit next to the sweets!
Outside of work, I’m always looking for my next hobby and proudly embrace my inner nerd. Whether it’s hiking and history, sword fighting and rugby, painting Warhammer, reading literature or writing for theatre, I’m happy to give almost anything a go. If you’ve got a hobby recommendation… I’m all ears! I am sadly not yet a dog mother but that is the goal for 2026.
If you see me around the office, please come and say hello.. I’m always happy to have a chat and get to know everyone! 🙂 – Amber
🎉Congratulations🎉
Factory Employee of the Month
Our employee of the month for July is
Gyanu Chhantyal🥳🥇
Gyanu has worked with us for 18 years now, so it goes without saying what a valued member of the team she is. She is always working hard and cording a large variety of different blinds. Last week was a perfect example of her productiveness as she got through a huge amount of work whilst covering a team members holiday. The pressure was well and truly on towards the end of the week as an earlier manufacturing issue meant we were late getting a job to the cording department, Gyanu worked her socks off and made sure the job went out in time – Ellie Smith-Anderson
WELL DONE AARON👏🏻🏅
Europe Triathlon Duathlon Championships
Congratulations to Aaron Sparks-Carolan on an outstanding performance at the 2026 Europe Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Banyoles, Spain, where he proudly represented Great Britain and secured an impressive 6th place in his age group.
Competing against some of Europe’s strongest age-group duathletes, Aaron completed the championship course in a total time of 2:03:32. His race included a first run of 38:28, followed by the bike leg and concluding run, demonstrating the consistency and determination needed to compete at international level. According to the official championship results, Aaron finished just 13 minutes and 22 seconds behind the age-group winner—a fantastic achievement on one of Europe’s premier duathlon stages.
Representing Team GB at a European Championship is an achievement in itself, reflecting the dedication, training and commitment required to qualify and compete among the continent’s best athletes. Finishing sixth in such a competitive field is something to be immensely proud of.
Well done, Aaron! Your performance in Banyoles is a testament to your hard work and perseverance. Wishing you every success in your future races—we look forward to seeing what you achieve next while wearing the Great Britain colours.
Help Tom Support Momentum Children’s Charity
24 Hours of Gaming for a Great Cause
On 15th August, Tom and three of his friends will once again be taking on the challenge of a 24-hour non-stop gaming marathon to raise money for Momentum Children’s Charity.
Momentum supports families across South West London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or another life-challenging condition. The charity provides practical and emotional support to help families through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
The marathon will run for a full 24 hours without a break and will feature a mixture of video games and board games. While it might sound like fun, staying focused and gaming continuously for an entire day is much tougher than it looks!
Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help Momentum continue providing vital support to children and their families.
If you’d like to support the challenge, please consider making a donation via the JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tom-whitehead-1785335247712
Thank you for your generosity and encouragement—it will make a real difference to families who need it most.
