Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants (PPHM) is expanding its premises to meet growing demand from tradespeople across the capital.

The merchant, which operates a strict trade-only policy, will more than double its floor space after securing premises adjacent to its existing store in central London.

PPHM is adding an additional 4,700sq ft to its operations, complementing its existing 3,909sq ft premises, which features a trade counter and two floors of stock. The new unit will include a mezzanine floor, and PPHM aims for the new site to be operational at the start of 2016.

Now employing eight people, this latest expansion follows on from the business launching seven-day opening to keep pace with demand from customers.

The new premises in Sail Street, London SE11, is intended to enable PPHM to dramatically increase its stock holding and support its expanding delivery service. An additional driver has been added to the delivery service, with a team of three now transporting parts and equipment to tradespeople across London.

The brainchild of plumbing entrepreneur Charlie Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers, PPHM was initially introduced to provide the company with its own supply of parts to help reduce costs, before being opened up to local tradespeople.

Mr Mullins said: "The pace of growth at Pimlico Plumbing & Heating Merchants proves we are giving the trade what they want, when they want it. Taking the additional space is a positive consequence of our move to seven-day opening and expanding our reliable delivery service. Offering the best quality parts and equipment is one thing, but giving it to trade professionals when they need them is another thing altogether.

"We live in a world where customers require their tradespeople to be increasingly flexible to fit in with their busy lives. It stands to reason, therefore, that merchants have to be as flexible."