120-year-old Wirral funeral firm announces investment drive

Funeral firm Charles Stephens has embarked on an investment programme to broaden its North West footprint and enhance its office space.

The Wirral-based company has expanded with the launch of a new office in West Kirby, revamped its base in Heswall and now plans to refurbish its five other Wirral offices over the next 18 months.

Discussing the investment, which coincides with the company’s 120th anniversary, managing director Gemma Stephens commented: “We are extremely proud of our history of providing people in Wirral with a dignified funeral.

“Our staff remain committed to the traditions of providing the very best funeral services while, at the same time, ensuring we meet the requirements of today’s families.”

She added: “We are investing in our business on a number of different levels, most noticeably in terms of our new funeral home in West Kirby and the refurbishment of our other branches.”

In addition to its offices in West Kirby and Heswall, Charles Stephens, a fourth-generation family business, has operations in Neston, Little Neston, Rock Ferry, Claughton and Bromborough.

Speaking further, Gemma said: “We also believe passionately in the importance of investing in our people through apprenticeships and by ensuring that all our funeral arrangers have passed professional qualifications recognised by the National Association of Funeral Directors.

“As an independent family business, we have more flexibility than the larger national brands which means we can more readily adapt funeral arrangements to meet the specific requests of families.”

Established in 1896, Charles Stephens merged with Wirral funeral directors Henry Norman in 1993.