Stuart and Heather Isbister, founders and directors of The Worm that Turned and Bridge Marketing Services, met when they both worked at Boots plc as buyers.
Since leaving Boots, Stuart has held a number of directorships in marketing services businesses. At Boots, Heather was instrumental in developing their gift shop offer and other successful and pioneering gift ranges. She subsequently advised a number of retailers including WH Smith, Boots, and Woolworths (well before their demise) on a wide variety of projects.
Their love of gardening and a mission to 'revitalise the earth' has led to their latest (ad)venture. Colleagues have since joined from a wide variety of backgrounds and in time we'll introduce them on the gossip pages.
The Worm that Turned background
The directors have been involved in product and retail development all their working lives, but often have felt frustrated both by the watering down of ideas and the lack of speed in implementing ideas that occurs when working for or advising large corporate bodies. They decided, in the Autumn of 1998, to concentrate on internal product development; the put up or shut up strategy. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridge Marketing Services Ltd, which was established in 1992.
The Worm that Turned and our first six ranges of products were launched at the 1999 Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham. In 2004 we launched our first retail venture in Nottingham, England. More are planned when the time and the retail climate is right.
It is designed to give the company flexibility and recognizes that few companies end up how they first set out. It also reflects our origins as buyers. The phrase is perhaps best known as a line in Shakespeare’s
We are proud to have sent our products all over the world - a highlight was walking into a trendy boutique in Soho New York and finding our product on the shelves - that ís a real thrill. Prestigious UK department stores and other store groups have all stocked a selection of our products at one time or another.
We lacked the distribution edge of a major supplier thus our main focus is currently and undoubtedly is the garden store element of our offering you find on this website; however, our 'plural' involvement in a number of sectors is healthy as we are able to 'cross fertilise' the best ideas.
Watch the gossip space for more 'wins' -- or why not help us to create some new ones!
We've also moved our warehouse to Wollaton Street just behind the shop. This will enable us to service our growing commercial and website business more efficiently.
We love hearing from anyone who wants to share in the 'worm' experience from whatever angle you approach it. So, if after examining our website, you think you can help or would like to buy and/or sell our products, go ahead and contact us and make our day!
NB – unless, that is, you want to sell us telephony, electricity, seo services, advertising.... in which case Email us and take it from there. Please do not phone us about these services, we're already sorted thanks.
Good clear website, lovely range of products. Efficient delivery with good communication, arrived promptly, well packaged, delivery text to say when arriving and it did arrive within that time slot. Will shop here again..
Product questions: use the 'ask a question' button on the relevant product page or if it relates to a product you cannnot find, please email customer services.
We are happy to supply hi-res images of most products to bone-fide media. Please note the publication and street date where possible. We normally respond to these requests within 12 hours, but if you've not heard form us or need an image urgently please call 01159482800.
If you are interested in supplying products to us, please write to us enclosing samples where relevant. If you are selling services it is unlikely that a cold call or email will interest us as we do not buy services in that way.