Following the success of Axminster Tool Centre's first skill centre, which opened at its Devon-based head office in 2004, the business has launched a brand new facility for its south east customers.
The new centre, based at Axminster's Sittingbourne store, will offer members of the public courses on woodturning, woodcarving, pyrography, spindle moulding and routing. The first course, a beginners' woodturning tutorial, sold out weeks before the facility even opened.

The skill centre is more than 750sq ft and can accommodate up to six students per session, depending on which course is being run. The facility provides the same high level of instruction as that of the original skill centre in Devon, with established Axminster tutors Colwin Way and Jason Breach taking many of the classes.

Mr Breach, an award-winning woodturner, spoke to DIY Week during a recent visit to the skill centre in Axminster, and explained why the courses are so popular. "We get a lot of retired and pre-retired people in, looking to try something new or pick up a hobby. But we also work with schools, mainly GCSE students - they absolutely love it. And then we also do get people who just really enjoy trying something different, occasionally a DIYer who is doing up their house and wants a bit of instruction, a lot of tradesmen - especially on the routing and work top classes."

It is hoped that not only will the Kent-based centre build on the success of the existing facility, the newer tutors will be able to deliver a varied course selection from an accessible location in the south east.

Said skill centre manager Berni Callery: "Over the last 40 years we have honed our skills and knowledge in the south west and have now decided to bring this to the south east through the new Skill Centre teaching facility in our Sittingbourne store. It offers a great opportunity to learn something new in a comfortable and well equipped environment to the same high standard and experience as our Axminster Skill Centre offers."

· For a complete retailer profile of Axminster Tool Centre, including a tour of the business' extraordinary head office, manufacturing plant, skill centre and factory, see the May 31 dedicated tools issue of DIY Week.