Words: Paul Chapman Images: Torne Valley
Bakewell's 'best kept secret' revealed ... if you like garden machines!
Torne Valley is a bit of a hidden gem in the garden machine business, located just over the hill in Bakewell. It's a family run business, managed by Robert Sherratt who lives in Holymoorside. It’s the kind of store where you will always walk out with a purchase even if you just go in for a browse!
“Customers are always surprised at the range of over 30,000 product lines we stock”
Stocking garden and horticultural supplies, their brands include Viking, Stihl (the only local Stihl stockist), John Deere, Atco, Countax and other quality manufacturers. “We only stock quality brands” says Robert, “cheaper brands really aren’t worth stocking in the long run, as we have learned from our experience. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Gardening should be pleasurable and not frustrating because machinery won’t start”.
Torne Valley have three branches and is independently owned. The Bakewell store is located on Haddon Road, next to the petrol station, Epworth over in Lincolnshire and head office at Tickhill in Doncaster, which has a heavy farming influence. Each branch tailors its products to fit the geology of the area in which it is based, Bakewell sell a lot of machinery for both small and large gardens alike.
“Customers are always surprised at the range of over 30,000 product lines we stock” Robert explains. “Apart from the garden machines and ride-ons, we have a range of hand tools and hardware, garden products, animal feed and products, horse tack, even kid's mini tractors, trailers and cars! It really is a huge range, but machinery is where we excel.”
The range of products include lawnmowers, garden strimmers, brush cutters, a full range of hedge trimmers plus a huge selection of leading edge rechargeable lithium ion products which are light weight. “The Sthil products really are a pleasure to use” adds Robert, “easy to handle, start at the flick of a switch, quiet and great for the environment. We presently have rechargeable Stihl strimmers at £99, which are very popular, we really can’t get enough of them.”
“The same is true of the Stihl MS180 chainsaw, this 31.8cc 14” petrol chainsaw retails at £250 but we’re doing them at £189 and, again, they are selling really well. Whether it’s garden maintenance or cutting up logs for the burner these are a great machine!"
At Torne Valley, they spend a great deal of time and effort to ensure they price stock competitively. “We are careful when buying stock, the size of the business enables us to bulk purchase during the off season when we can really push to obtain good prices. This enables us to pass these savings on” says Robert.
“As Spring hits us and the garden bursts into life it’s time to get the old garden tools out and if you’re thinking of replacing them please give us a call.
“At Torne Valley we’ll listen to your needs and recommend the right machine for you, we’ll then demo it, and once you’ve decided on what you want, we’ll set it up and run it so you’re really familiar with it. No opening a box and scratching your head as you figure out how to put the new lawnmower together” Robert says.
“If you buy from us, you know it works, you know it’s right for you and you build a relationship that will probably see you coming back time and time again … the internet doesn’t do that!” Robert laughs.
When you next need a garden machine, pop over the hill to Torne Valley and see if they can help, don’t forget to mention where you saw them, and if you feel peckish, take a walk into Bakewell, I’ve heard they have some sort of pudding that’s worth a try!