Art Stone Memorials, which specialises in creating and renovating graveside memorials, has expanded its presence into two Derby suburbs.
Art Stone already has established showrooms in Stapenhill and in Alvaston. Families are now also able to get information and order memorials at Duffield Road, Allestree, and in Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, in branch offices shared with Wathall’s funeral directors.
Alex Burlaka, head stonemason at Art Stone Memorials, explained: “Since becoming part of the Wathall’s group, we have had the opportunity to expand our network across Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
“This provides families with more options on their doorstep to be able to discuss memorials and headstones which we continue to design and create at our Draycott workshop and then install in cemeteries, churchyards and crematorium gardens across the Midlands.
“I am particularly pleased that we have a presence in Chaddesden which is very close to the Nottingham Road cemetery and therefore extremely convenient for families to either meet at the office or at their loved one’s graveside plot itself.
“It is also ideal for meeting to discuss and survey restoration projects for which we have a long-established reputation and to order our new range of garden and pet memorials which are proving extremely popular.”
Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to run the funeral directors business.
She added: “As we expand our branch network and invest in refurbishing our other branches in Borrowash, Ashbourne and in the heart of Derby city centre – we are delighted to make provision for the Art Stone team.
“This ensures that we are able to provide our full range of services from pre-paid funeral plans and funeral arranging through to aftercare such as bereavement support and graveside memorials – all in the heart of more local communities to support more families through a bereavement.
The Chaddesden branch was officially opened recently by two city councillors representing the Chaddesden ward – Jonathan Smale and Jerry Pearce – who welcomed Wathall’s and Art Stone Memorials to the area.
Cllr Jonathan Smale said: “It is great to see such well-known family businesses expanding in the city and particularly into the Chaddesden area.
“Nottingham Road is a thriving business community and I know that the neighbouring businesses will extend a warm welcome to Wathall’s and Art Stone Memorials.”
The refurbishment of the building was overseen by business development manager Bec Wathall who is the sixth generation of her family to work in the company.
She said: “There has been a great deal of interest in the office opening – particularly when we uncovered the old post office sign above the front door during the refurbishment.
“We are delighted with the results of the refurbishment which has provided us with a comfortable and easily accessible environment where families can feel at ease.
“We have stone samples and all the information available for our sister company Art Stone Memorials to enable families to choose a lasting memorial to their loved one – whether that is for their own garden or the cemetery where they are laid to rest.”
Please look at our full ranges on this website, and for information about Wathall’s, please visit the new-look website https://www.wathalls.co.uk/