LOVE LOCAL
Business development manager James Hilton takes us behind the scenes at family-run stonemason Ivett & Reed A cup of tea with…
Cambridge Edition: I’m interested in the history of Ivett & Reed – can you tell me a bit about it? James Hilton: Ivett & Reed is something of a household name in Cambridge, having been trading in the city since 1896. Our early premises were at 30 Regent Street, right in the city centre, then 43 Mill Road by the gates of the Mill Road Cemetery. In 1903, we acquired our current premises at 615 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, near the location of what was (at the time) the ‘new’ Cambridge City Cemetery, and all masonry works were being carried out here by 1904. Now well into our second century of trading, the business remains in the Reed family. I believe that our vast experience and understanding of the past, combined with an enthusiasm for new products and techniques, leaves us ideally positioned to continue to evolve. CE: I understand the company’s offering has widened quite a bit since the early days? JH: Over recent decades stone surfaces have been increasingly incorporated into kitchen and bathroom designs. This was initially through granite worktops and marble vanity tops, and we continue to offer a wide selection of beautiful natural stones sourced from all over the world. But in the past 20 years we have also incorporated engineered stones into our product offering, which now account for the majority of worktop installations. Plus, to complement our bespoke, hand-finished stone fireplaces, we have developed into an independent retailer and installer of leading brands of fires and stoves. CE: And all of this production work goes on right there at your Newmarket Road premises? JH: Yes, it’s carried out at our workshops and yard in Cambridge, where we blend traditional stonemasonry skills with the latest stone fabrication technology. Our state-of-the-art stone machinery includes bridge saws, edge polishers and a CNC machine, along with our latest piece of kit, a CMS Formax Jet. It combines a five-axis bridge saw with a water jet system, which can be used to precisely cut all natural and engineered stones. We also continue to run a traditional masonry workshop and have a dedicated memorial workshop, which combines
BOLD CHOICE A Cosmic Black granite worktop (left) in Ivett & Reed’s showroom
We blend traditional stonemasonry skills with the latest technology
CE: If you could put your cup of tea down on any worktop, what would it be made of? JH: My personal preference would have to be a stunning and unique piece of natural stone, complete with a variation of natural veins and colours. Some of the Brazilian granites and natural quartzites are definitely among my favourites, so I think I would choose a beautiful Cosmic Black granite worktop, a great example of which can actually be found on the large island unit in the front window of our very own showroom!
traditional hand lettering and finishing with the latest sandblasting technology. CE: Which behind-the-scenes process fascinates you the most? JH: It’s great to see materials being expertly cut and finished by our staff as they turn a client’s design into reality. Most worktop materials are delivered to us as giant slabs measuring over 3000x1500mm, which then go through multiple processes to be machined and hand-finished into bespoke surfaces ready for installation. It is also fascinating to watch our stonemason hand- carving block stone into products such as bespoke fireplace mantels.
ivettandreed.co.uk
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK NOVEMBER 2025 89
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