Joshua Bate Trading Bermuda Ltd. is to open a new electrical appliance showroom in the centre of town.

The company, which has sourced its goods from the US for more than 18 years, will be displaying and selling appliances from its local inventory at the new showroom and subsidiary 'Bate's' based at the SE Pearman Building in Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton.

There has been a void in Bermuda's electrical appliance market since Home Zone closed in April.

As the Island's new authorised General Electric (GE) distributor, Bate's will be stocking GE appliances, including the Profile and Monogram collections. Samples of many of the brands of furniture Bate's represents will also be on the floor, available by special order.

John Simons will be heading the Bate's operation, bringing 20-plus years experience with GE appliances at HWP and Home Zone.

"GE has made great strides over the past year to enhance the quality and expand the realm of their product lines," he said. "The Monogram products are now real competition for the more recognised high-end brands, while the GE, Profile and Café collections continue to prove their reliability and longevity."

He continued: "I am very excited about the prospect of managing Bate's showroom. With such a dynamic business model, there will always be something for anyone considering a major purchase."

The company's founder, Joshua Bate said he was enthused about the new development, and was proud and excited to have received customer service awards from Consumer Affairs over the past few years.

"Customer service is still the mainstay which separates our business from the competition," he said. "I started the company in 1992, at that time the economy was very tight. Today, Bermudians need value for their dollar more than ever."

Joshua Bate Trading Bermuda Ltd. will operate as usual, sourcing all other brands of appliances and a range of other residential, commercial, and recreational products, with free quotations.

For more information on Joshua Bate Trading Bermuda Ltd. visit the website at www.bate.bm