A recession-beating carpet fitting firm is on a roll after welcoming a church minister into the fold.

MID SUFFOLK: A recession-beating carpet fitting firm is on a roll after welcoming a church minister into the fold.

Award-winning Dennis Green set up his own business two years ago at Onehouse, near Stowmarket.

He has now been joined by former work colleague Andrew Royal, who was ordained as a minister in the United Reformed Church in July.

Mr Green, 52, who is regional chairman of the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF), a master fitter and eastern England flooring champion, took on his first employee after finding he could no longer cope with a workload which was growing in spite of the recession. He has been in the trade for more than 35 years.

“I'm very pleased with the loyal customers. It was a bit slow to start with until people realised where I was. The recession seemed to help because I think instead of walking into a big shop with a pocket full of money saying: 'I want that carpet and can you fit it?' they are looking round to see if they can save money,” he said.

Mr Royal, 36, co-ordinates sales, sorts out estimates and organises the office freeing up Mr Green to use his carpet and floor laying skills to the full.

The two have known each other about 20 years, since Mr Royal was 16. He joined the Stowmarket shop where Mr Green was working as a sub-contractor and the two have been friends ever since.

Mr Royal, who is a non-stipendiary minister and currently serves as a minister for the United Reformed Church in Framlingham and Saxmundham, said: “There were things happening that made me realise I needed to be available in a more flexible way than I was. When Dennis offered the opportunity to do the both we thought: 'Let's see whether we can do.'”

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