St Helens: Slinn’s wallpaper and paint is about to move

Slinn’s was founded in 1869 and initially developed as a supplier of a range of goods before finally concentrating on the sale of wallpaper and paint in 1909.

Through the Slinn family, the company became one of the city’s main suppliers and most popular businesses, with more than a hundred decorators using their products and several sales units throughout the city.

However, with the advent of online shopping, retail parks and national competition, business became increasingly difficult for Slinns and the company has operated from a single branch on Hill Street, just off College Street, since 1973.

Due to these difficulties and the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Slinn team has decided to downsize and relocate to Gerards Park across College Street to secure Slinn’s future and make the business more sustainable.

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Slinn’s has been a premium supplier of wallpaper and paint for more than a century (Image: St. Helens Star) Alfred Bannister, who has worked at Slinn’s since 1962, confirmed the move will take place in the next week or two and the Hill Street unit will be converted into a car repair shop.

Despite the downsizing, Alfred said the move will actually allow Slinn’s to offer more products as the company plans to work with more third-party sellers and reach more customers.

Slinn’s move will allow the company to sell more products through third-party sellers (Image: St. Helens Star) Alfred, who runs Slinn’s with his two sons, said: “We’ve had the Hill Street base since 1973, but it’s about 8,000 square feet and we’re struggling with rising bills and energy costs.”

“The move to Gerards Park will be in an approximately 2,000 square meter unit which will be much more sustainable.

“We will continue to sell most of the things we sell here on Hill Street, but we can follow the path of other businesses by using a click and collect service.”

“This will actually help us increase our inventory by using third-party suppliers to source the materials for us and have customers come and collect them from us.”
Slinn’s will be moving from its Hill Street home in the coming weeks (Image: St. Helens Star)

While Slinn’s will be able to sell more wallpapers, paints, wall designs and accessories, Alfred stressed that the company’s unique selling point will be its extensive range of clearance deals, where customers can buy high-quality wallpapers for just £5 a roll.

As Slinn’s prepares for the upcoming move, the company also has a wholesaler for much of its inventory on Hill Street, which it cannot accommodate in Gerards Park.

Further information about Slinns can be found here.