Family-run business celebrates 60 years of serving the Highlands with flooring
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In 1963 a new business was established in Bridge Street, Inverness to make houses feel like homes. Sharon Leon was created by James and Heather Sheerin, and 60 years on it is still the go-to retailer for carpets and flooring in the Highlands.
The family-run business is passionate about people and ensuring that customers receive high-quality flooring whether that be for a utility cupboard or a dining hall. Creating a successful business that has served generations requires a few vital ingredients. One of these is having a brilliant team behind it. Speaking more about this, current managing director – James and Heather’s daughter - Jeni Alexander said:
“We have an incredible team who really care about what they do. They are the reason that we still exist today, and we have members that have been here for many years.
“They care about our customers, and they are passionate about what we sell, so that is why we see people returning again and again.”
Sharon Leon has navigated many obstacles over the years including the three-day week and Covid. When the fitters went self-employed, they didn’t have money for their own vans, so James and Heather made sure they helped them out and provided them with the vehicles they needed.
“We’ve changed and modified what we do over the years, and we’ve just continued to go forward whatever the external circumstances may be”, added Jeni.
There are a few people that are perfectly placed to tell the story of Sharon Leon’s six decades of excellence: the wonderful staff.
First up is Simon Ingram who has been with the business for 44 years. He originally started out as an assistant storeman, but with a gift-of-the-gab and a natural ability to connect with people he was quickly appointed to sales.
He recalled some of the changes that have taken place over his time with the company: “When I started, we used to sell carpets in squares – you could get 9-foot or 12-foot squares.
“We then used to buy carpets in, on the roll, as this provided a better price for people - we were the first to do that in Inverness. Our warehouse would have 80 to 100 rolls in stock and we would cut it for customers there and then.
“We used to take them from Highland Blindcraft on Ardconnel Street, and there would be four of us linking arms carrying it to the store. Then we got a hoist at the side of our shop, and we had just enough room to get in and spin it and take it in the double doors.”
Originally based in Bridge Street, Sharon Leon moved to Castle Street from 1973 – 1998, before it settled into its current location in Harbour Road.
Speaking about why he has decided to stay with the business for over four decades, Simon said: “I like the diversity of the company and the staff we’ve had over the years.
“When we get a new member of staff they generally stay for a good while. Everyone we have just now is brilliant and everyone knows their role and we work together well.”
He added that the reputation of Sharon Leon is esteemed in the region, and they have seen returning customers again and again.
“We cover the whole of the Highlands, and we do a lot of work in Skye. There is a different shop there now supplying carpets, but we still seem to get the business. Everyone knows Jeni’s parents and a lot of their clientele’s children are now coming to us through hearsay.”
There have been a few memorable moments for Simon over his time with the company – some are rather comedic, but they show the passion and drive of Sharon Leon.
One of the stories was the time that a Royal Navy warship travelled up to the area and was stationed in the Moray Firth.
“Some of the crew came to Inverness and James sold them some lino”, remembered Simon.
“The following week we took out an advert in the local paper that said, “from bathrooms to battleships we floor them all”.
“It was a genius move and it was even in the national news! Everyone was aware of it.”
Another one of Simon’s memories displays the dynamics of the family-like team. He said: “A company who made underlay and supplied to us also used to make tyres for the Formula 1.
“As we were selling so much, they gave us a loan of a Ferrari for three weeks to put in our window on Castle Street. People would come into Inverness just to come up the street and take a look at it.
“We all had a go at sitting in it, as it was something we could tell our friends and family. We had a cleaner called Doris who was just brilliant, and we told her to have a go.
“You had to be helped in and out of the Ferrari, you couldn’t do it yourself. So, we helped Doris in and then we all scattered!
“She was in there for about an hour, and everyone was walking past the window waving at her in the seat!”
One of Simon’s anecdotes was about the savviness and kindness of James Sheerin…
He said: “Years ago Macrae Homes was one of the main house builders in the region. At this point it was a lot of bungalows we were doing, and our fitters were on the books – they’d be able to put a carpet down in a day and a half so the owner could quickly move in.
“One day the fitters went to do one of these bungalows but then the customer appeared at the shop a few hours later as she was concerned as they hadn’t turned up.
“James followed her back to her house, and when they pulled up, he realised the fitters were laying her carpet in the house two doors down!
“As they were trying to see what they could salvage the owner of that house then turned up and James had to do some fast talking. He got her to take that for a discounted price and asked the fitters to stay on to do the original customers house too!
“When he came back to the store, he was getting me to cut up the same lengths again and I was confused as I had done it in the morning. I was amazed when he told me in the half hour he’d been away he’d manage to sell another carpet!
“Then 20 years later this couple came in and they spoke to James. They told him they loved the product and were happy with the last one but said “this time Mr Sheerin we’d like to pick our own!”
Another member of staff that has been with the business for many years is Michael Appleby. He started with Sharon Leon in 1988 and works as an estimator.
Speaking about why he has stayed on at the company, Michael said: “It’s a great place to work – a good family business. We all get on really well – and there is a lot of experience here, so the bosses let us get on with it!
“Over a period of time we have built up our own clientele and we see people come to us for their second and third houses and even their children coming in and buying from us.”
For Michael, being able to travel throughout the Highlands and take in all the wonderful sights is one of his favourite parts of the job.
“We’ve done some great properties over the years, and I have seen some gorgeous places”, he commented.
“The countryside is a massive draw – I forget I do it for a living when I am visiting all these beautiful places.
“I have seen some incredible, isolated places. I have gone up a hard-core road for eight or nine miles and it opens into a beautiful place. We get to go into people’s pride and joy.”
A newer member of staff is Shona Mackenzie, who has been with Sharon Leon for the last five years.
She works as the purchase ledger administrator in the business and there are many things she enjoys about working at Sharon Leon.
She said: “It is a great crowd to work with. A family-business is always good to work for – this is personal, and the team is interested in me.
“They let me do my mornings which is fine as I look after my grandchildren in the afternoon.
“We just have a good laugh here! I was 60 last year and I came into the office and my desk was all decorated and I had gifts – it was nice to be valued.
“It’s just a great place to work!”
Having a wonderful team who enjoy working at Sharon Leon Carpets is something that Jeni and her parents are very proud of as they mark their 60th year in business.
Jeni concluded: “We are all really proud that we can take care of our staff – they work hard so we love that we can value them!”
33 Harbour Rd, Inverness IV1 1UA
T: 01463 234079
W: www.sharonleoncarpets.co.uk
E: sales@sharonleoncarpets.co.uk
