Silverprint UK

[Martin Reed]

Perhaps it would be useful to go through the history of where Silverprint came from. We originally took space with Atlantis in Wapping, London E1, down by Tower Bridge. While this was a good kicking off point it was difficult for people to get to, and 18 years ago we took space in our present building in Waterloo, which was accessible to the main line station and tube network. We have, therefore, always seen ourselves as primarily a supplier to the London area, and with the costs of operating in London we have no other option. If we were in an industrial park in the middle of nowhere we would be totally focussed on servicing mail order as it would be most of our activity, but here we do have a lot of other things going on - if staff sound not quite like the usual call centre, it's probably because they're run ragged.

Next point - IT'S A SMALL BUSINESS. We started from nothing, and have
increased turnover steadily at about 10% per annum, which has enabled us to progress from 2 staff (including me) in 1987 to 10 today, with a turnover now of £1.5m. Whereas in the early years mail order was only 10% of turnover, approximately one third is now mail order and overseas, and at this precise moment that is about as much as we can handle.
Getting to this point has been achieved selling materials with low margins and using only a small bank overdraft when necessary, but has still enabled the purchase of the freehold of the building, so our presence in Waterloo is now secured. The dog eat dog entrepreneurial philosophy might have produced greater results, but the end result would not have been the same business. My involvement is long term - it's a labour of love, has been my total commitment for 20 years (and with the mortgages I've got, will be for another 20 years into the future). I'll continue to develop the website, it will probably have a shopping mall built on soon, and the extra floor in the building we now have is going to give us space be used for mail order offices, darkrooms and chemical packing, but expansion is going to happen at a natural pace (unless somebody on this list can give me access to interest free loans). Many thanks to everybody who has supported us over the years, and apologies to those where we didn't quite hit the spot.

[David H. Bebbington]

Dear Martin,

Thanks for taking the time to reply - I would not wish you to think that anything I have said is intended to detract in any way from your long-term commitment and unceasing efforts on behalf of traditional photography.

BUT ........

Times change and I feel there are some very simple ways you could change with them.

1) If you know your staff are being run ragged, you MUST do something about it. Otherwise they will get demoralized, not enjoy their work, not give customers the best possible service, not generate optimum turnover per head.
2) Low margins: With many of the products you carry, you may have been in competition with other suppliers in the past, many of these have gone now and there is no reason why you should not raise margins to a reasonable level. Many alternative-process materials, for example, are bought by affluent hobbyists and are likely to be slow-moving lines - these MUST have a high profit margin, otherwise they will lose money for you as they sit on the shalf.
3) In these days of modern telecommunications, tele-/web sales operatives could be a couple of people miles away from you working at home and receiving calls on the Silverprint number - the set-up costs of this would be minimal, and the only addition to your shop staff could be a dedicated order picker/dispatcher. I would seriously invite you to monitor incoming phone calls for a day or two and note in particular how many go unanswered. Consider that each one may well represent £100 of lost turnover and ask yourself how happy you are about this.
4) A labour of love is a fine thing, but it's no reason to turn a blind eye to potential efficiency gains which could be realized at low cost.

All the best for the future!

Regards,

David

[CharlieM]

Martin, It's good to hear the future looks reasonably secure and it seems like things should get better for the customer. Please don't increase your margins TOO much, by the way. Some of us aren't as 'affluent' as all that....
Here's to many more years of Silverprint's operation - and even though it seems you've hit the wrong note for some people, thanks for getting a lot of it right. We need you, and the bottom line is you need us - so I'll let you know in person if no-one answers the d**n phone next week!

[Fintan]

A trip to Silverprint has always been a highlight of my trips to London. However I've had an email or two ignored.

While I love Silverprints website, if I was you Martin I would rather set up on ebay and sell via paypal or bidpay or something cheaper allowing us to "see" something in stock and to pay online. Zero investment.

[delphine]

Silverprint rocks !

I just saw the news on their webpage. Silverprint is now open from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Finally I can pop at shop for idle browsing and sneaky purchases without having to rush at lunch time.

Best

Dee

[Jon Butler]

Thats good news, very handy.
Thanks for the info.
JON

[Mike Crawford]

Oh goody. Can now get stock in on a Saturday when I have forgotten to remember to get some selenium at 5.31 on a Friday.
Nice one Martin!

[catem]

Excellent.

[Apfel]

Wow

Wish they did when I was studying and still living in London …

[Martin Reed]

One point I should mention. If bringing a car in, apart from not being liable for congestion charge on a Saturday, one can usually park in Valentine Place on the yellow line without risk of getting a ticket.

However, Valentine Place is in Southwark. If you park just one street north of there you're in Lambeth, where the wardens are hovering around like flies at a jampot. Be warned.