Trade Secrets
GBS Joinery
During the last 25 years the Cheshire firm has established an enviable reputation for its bespoke service, providing replica timber windows and doors for a variety of residential and commercial properties.

It recently added a standard range of products to its portfolio in response to the growing market of homeowners and renovators who are choosing timber windows and doors over UPVC.

GBS opened for business in August 1984 when Nigel Hockin began his career as a bench joiner in the humble surroundings of his garage at home. The business grew and within 3 years he had taken on his first apprentice, Dave Lamb who is now a Partner at GBS.

In the early days the two-man team made anything their customers requested, from staircases to fitted wardrobes. “We were getting a bit disillusioned about where we were going,” says Nigel “Then a guy came in wanting a new sash window so we thought we’d give it a go. It went well, we began to advertise it as a new service and we’ve never looked back. We’d found our focus.”

Over the years the company has taken on the most intricate and demanding projects, designing and making replica windows and doors for listed buildings, properties owned by the National Trust and homes in conservation areas.

Highlights range from reproducing windows for a Grade ll listed chapel in Cheshire to making a replica Georgian style door into which a steel plate was fitted to protect a collection of priceless items in a National Trust property…