For 126 years Burslem have been stonemasons in the same premises in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. But now they are planning to move. And although they are only going two miles, to Frant, it takes them out of Kent and into Sussex.

Managing director David Hall has obtained planning permission to open a purpose-built factory and showroom on a one-acre site. The site that Burslems have occupied in Benhall Mill Road for the past 126 years, which is in a residential area, will be developed for housing.

David says they had to move because they had simply run out of room in Benhall Mill Road. When they installed a Bavelloni CNC workcentre three months ago it fitted with just 200mm to spare. Even so, David says: "It\'s fantastic. It just eats up the work."

The new site will give them a 400m2 workshop and 100m2 showroom. David is including a rainwater catchment system to supply his thirsty machines in the parched South East as well as a reedbed water filtration system on a half-acre site next to his workshop to clean the water before it goes back into the environment. "I want to be green," he says. The new premises, which he does not anticipate will be ready to move into until next spring, are "a bit out in the sticks" but he says they have lots of parking space, good road access and are easy to find. "I get a bigger workshop, more room for stock and a proper, dedicated showroom where I can get more involved in the design side of stone with customers."