On Tap Plumbers, a St Albans-based husband and wife team, has scooped Best New Business in this month's Hertfordshire FSB Awards - and taken second place in St Albans Business of the Year.

The business was started from scratch three years ago by Anne Timpany, originally from New Zealand, and her husband Raff Agalliu, originally from Albania. Since then, the couple have pooled their skills in plumbing, customer service and marketing to doubling turnover every year.


“We had no family contacts or friends in the UK when we started out, so it was tough,” Timpany explained. “But we saw an opening for a plumbing business whose emphasis is on excellent customer service. We want to show people not all plumbers are ‘dodgy’ or unreliable.”


The pair were presented with the award at a ceremony at Shendish Manor on 13 June, beating four other new businesses in their category. Judges’ comments included: “The essence of quality shone in this entry. Rapid growth, good revenues and self sufficiency – a business that strives to improve” and “I love this entry! Their passion and drive leaps off the page and is backed up with concise evidence and robust plans for the future”.


Of their win, Timpany said: “Raff and I are so proud to win the Best New Business award and also be named runners up for St Albans Business of the Year. We'd like to thank our fantastic team, our wonderful clients for your continued custom and the excellent service our suppliers have given us over the last three years. Without all of them, this wouldn’t have made been possible.


“We provide a guarantee with all of our work, we are fully insured, our prices are totally transparent and reasonable, and our staff are helpful and reliable. I would like to help restore more respect, reliability and responsibility to the UK industry.”


Visit On Tap Plumbers’ website at www.ontapplumbers.com.