Pair of twenty-somethings open electrical store on Diss high street

Two young tradesmen are bringing their skills and expertise to the high street after opening an electrical store in Diss.

Having worked across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire as electricians for years, Joe Phillips and Luke Orford, both in their 20s, noticed the dwindling number of electrical stores on the high street – helped in no small part by the economic turmoil of the last 12 months.

The two friends had been trading as JLE Contractors since March last year.

This month, their business found itself a permanent home in St Nicholas Street, where it sells a variety of electrical goods.

Sophie Scott joined the pair earlier this year to take care of the administrative side of the business.

Admittedly apprehensive about opening a new shop in such uncertain times, the 30-year-old said their unique offering had put them on solid ground.

“We were apprehensive, because we’re entering the unknown,” said the mum-of-two.

“But there isn’t a shop that offers the services that we do – whatever you buy, we can also fit it for you, which I don’t think anyone else does. It’s all about having it all in house.”

“Luke grew up in Diss, and he knows the area well.

“He thought that the opportunity to open a shop in Diss was ideal as quite a lot of our work is in this area.

“I think that small businesses have had been hit so badly over the last year. Supporting locals builds a connection and it’s important to be part of a community.”

The business celebrated its grand opening on Saturday May 22 and marked the occasion by raising more than £260 for charity through a raffle.

Two lucky customers received much more than they bargained for after winning a luxury hamper and a bottle of premium tequila – with all profits going to the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one of the oldest animal charities in the Caribbean.

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