Basingstoke Buildbase is easy to reach on the outskirts of town with plenty of parking on the three-acre site. The large trade stores area includes ironmongery, decorating, plumbing, workwear and tools and everything else you would expect from a full service builders merchant.

In the warehouse and yard area there are huge stocks of timber, bricks, aggregates and other building materials. A kitchen and bathroom showroom has fully-tiled displays with the very latest designs and offering a complete design service using the latest computer technology.

There is a dedicated Hirebase on site with equipment for hire ranging from hand tools to 3T diggers and dumpers. Outside a large landscaping area has been built to showcase dozens of paving and walling products. The displays have working lighting and water features to give customers design ideas.

Manager Alex Meharg has plenty of industry experience and local knowledge. His career of more than 30 years has been spent in the builders merchants industry, six of which as manager of another local merchant. He manages a team of multi-talented staff, all of whom have good product knowledge.