AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2026
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn!🍂
🌧️ We’ve finally seen some rain across the country – a very welcome sight after the record-breaking heatwaves and drought we’ve experienced over the summer! ☀️
🎒 With the schools starting to go back from next week, marking the official end of summer, we’re ready to welcome autumn! 🍂🍁
As we head into the next season, there’s plenty happening across the business, so grab a cuppa ☕ and catch up on the latest news, updates and highlights from the team.
And finally, enjoy the Bank Holiday on Monday – have a fantastic long weekend! 🎉😊
What’s Happening: Installations
Update from Rich Jones
TalkSport Project, Central London
This month the Installations team completed a survey at the UK News Building in Central London for TalkSport Radio, where we are preparing for the installation of 13 large, powered roller blinds overlooking London Bridge.
Commercial Sector Growth
We’re also continuing to see a noticeable increase in commercial enquiries and orders. This reflects wider market trends, with the UK refurbishment and fit-out sector estimated at nearly £10 billion, driven by strong demand for office upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, and modern workplace environments.
Working Together to Improve Quality
Finally, we held a joint meeting with Manufacturing to investigate operational issues affecting Pinoleum roof blinds. It was identified that 1.2mm cord with 8 turns on the spools should be used in place of the thicker 1.4mm cord with 10 turns. The thicker cord can self-tighten on the spool, causing excessive friction and resulting in blinds torque-stopping during operation.
A further learning point is that all roof blinds should be clipped into position with minimal tension initially, with final tensioning carried out afterwards to ensure smooth and reliable operation.
🧠 Quote of the Month
All the best – Rich.
Installation of the Month
Shading Solutions That Fit the Curve
This month we’re in Southwark, London, to showcase a perfect example of where we excel.
The client contacted us looking for a shading solution for their office, which is under the arches of one of the main arterial train lines from the southeast into London.
To maximise light the whole width of the office is glazed and follows the line of the arch, so immediately creates a challenge for a shading solution. Not for us though!
Using a combination of our Aspect 3 gable blinds, fitted in the shallower upper area of the curve and our Roof Style Gable, templated so we could provide a curve to the blinds on the LH and RH sides, we were able to supply a solution which seamlessly follows the shape of the window.
With no available power the blinds operate on our Pure 10 12v rechargeable battery motor and are finished in Duette Linen Silk Slate, to perfectly control heat and glare and make the office a comfortable working environment. Well done Jack.
What’s Happening: Sales
Sale of the month goes to this modest order for Arnaud!!!
Situated in a private ‘estate’ in Reigate, this newly built property on an existing plot requires shading across many(!) rooms.
Arnaud has specified motorised blinds throughout, using a combination of our Bauhaus spec gables and free-hanging window blinds to the bedrooms and our pure free-hanging spec to the rooms across the ground floor.
Using Duette Linen Silk Slate fabrics throughout on Anthracite hardware, we are looking forward to seeing installation pictures of this large project.
Well done Arnaud.
What’s Happening: Marketing
Nurturing Summer Enquiries
One of our biggest tasks over the coming weeks is to send a series of remarketing emails to all the enquiries we had over the Summer. Yes, there will be some people who think they only need blinds during a heatwave, so it’s our job to remind them about the benefits of blinds throughout Autumn/Winter too.
With the nicer weather coming to an end there will also be a number of people who are now completing their renovation projects. So now is the perfect time for them to be thinking about buying blinds for their new extension!
Photography Enhancements
We’re embarking on a new project to enhance our existing photography to help us promote the benefits of having bespoke blinds. This also adds a relatable real-life element to our marketing.
We’ve kicked off our remarketing emails with a new style customer newsletter that went out earlier this week.
Important Dates
Sales Meeting
The Sales Meeting will take place at the factory, Ashford.
- Thursday – 24th September
- Friday – 25th September
August Reviews Showcase
We’ve received some fantastic reviews this month, and we wanted to share a few standouts:
Excellent service, fair pricing, and a fantastic product from Specialist Blinds.
⭐9/10 Checkatrade™ (Derek Kay & Richard Turner)
I recently had electric blinds installed by Specialist Blinds and could not be happier with the results. The entire process was seamless from start to finish. The team provided excellent customer service, helping me choose the right options for my home. Their pricing was highly competitive and offered great value for money. I absolutely love the wireless operation, and the Alexa compatibility makes controlling them incredibly easy and convenient. The blinds themselves are top quality, operate smoothly, and look stunning. – Michael Nutt
Good quality Blinds, friendly, knowledgeable team.
⭐10/10 Checkatrade™ – Grant S Johnston & Richard Turner
The specialist Blind Company replaced my mother’s blinds. They were friendly efficient and knowledgeable. The blinds have been a game changer for my mother and very good quality. I would recommend this company. – Ann Woodley
Good blinds. Highly recommend.
⭐10/10 Checkatrade™ – Greg Hall & Rob Scott
Helpful and informative initial contact. Blinds fitted well and without fuss (another well known company was unable to fit). Fitter was polite, tidy and on time. Have used twice. Highly recommended. – William & Catherine Gatacre
Highly recommended!
⭐5/5 Trustpilot – Aaron Sparks-Carolan & Ryan Keegan
Aaron and Ryan have done a great job in installing the roof blinds in our conservatory, they have promptly made a quotation and installation arrangement during the heatwaves. It worths the money and does make a difference. – Gloria Chan
Comments on Social Media – Paul Herrington & Rob Drummond
Incredible job from start to finish! Paul was an absolute saint answering my many many questions, and Rob did such a fantastic job with the installation! Installed in just a couple of hours 🙌🏻 Thanks guys! 🧡- Derry Boorman
WeLCOME TO OUR NEWCOMER
Welcome to our new team member! We are thrilled to have you onboard and look forward to working together. Your skills and enthusiasm will be a great addition to our company, and we’re excited to support you as you settle in. Here’s to a successful journey ahead!
Peter Wells – Sales Team
Staff News
How long have you been with Specialist Blinds?
Just over 7 years.
If you could swap jobs with anyone in the company for a day, who would it be and why?
Eddie, of course! 🐶 He gets to lie in the sun ☀️ and have a lovely nap mid-morning. 😴
Tea or Coffee?
Decaf iced coffee!! 🧋😍
What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
Adventuring with my husband and our cat. 🐾 We like exploring the countryside 🌿, finding quirky places and discovering great food.🍽️
What’s your dream holiday destination?
Japan. 🏯 It’s been on my bucket list for many years. One day I’ll get there! ✈️ For now, I’m busy DIY renovating my house 🛠️🏠, so there’s no time or money for holidays! 😂
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
English is actually my third language! 🌍 My home language growing up was primarily Afrikaans and German. I can also speak other South African languages, including Swahili and isiZulu. 🗣️ I’m determined to be fluent in Japanese before I go there. 📚
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“It doesn’t have to be perfect; you just have to try your best.” 💛
August Birthday Celebrations
Happy Birthday to all our wonderful colleagues who celebrated their birthdays in August! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead filled with happiness, success, and good health. Here’s to many more celebrations! 🎉🥳🎉
🎉Congratulations🎉
Factory Employee of the Month
Our employee of the month for August is
Colette Huckstepp 🥳🥇
“Colette is our employee of the month for August. She has been a member of the team for over 10 years now and has been through many cycles of the sales kit in her time here. She’s hard at work at the moment putting the finishing touches to her part of the sample bags. The fabric range is in the process of the biggest refresh Colette has worked on during her time at the company, meaning she has to make a whopping 880 fabric samples!” – Ellie Smith-Anderson
