From train station to Sustainable Home Centre

Harris & Bailey, a South London building supplier with more than 100 years of history, has transformed its Addiscombe base into a Sustainable Home Centre in partnership with Daikin. Opened in August 2024, the centre is already helping installers and homeowners gain the confidence to make the switch to renewable heating.

A century of change

Harris & Bailey was founded in 1912 in the Addiscombe Station goods yard. “Harris had previously sold newspapers at the then Addiscombe Station, and Bailey was a Gravel Merchant. Premises were rented in the station goods yard. In 1913, Bailey departed, and a limited company was formed.”

The company grew through the post-war building boom, later acquiring the freehold of the former station shunting yard in 1980. Today, the business employs 55 people and continues to evolve.

Why renewables, why now?

The decision to launch the Sustainable Home Centre was driven by a clear need. “Our main challenge was bridging the knowledge gap for installers and customers around renewable heating,” explains Harris & Bailey.

“Partnering with Daikin allowed us to create a hands-on training facility and showcase real-world applications, giving confidence to both trade and end-users.”

A building powered by renewables

Sustainability is built into the site itself:

• “We have 500 solar panels on our roof, which significantly reduces our reliance on the grid. At times we run 100% on solar, but generally the system complements our grid electricity rather than replacing it entirely.”
•  “Our offices are heated and cooled with a Daikin VRV system, with a Daikin cylinder providing hot water.”
•  “The café and training centre uses a Daikin air-to-air heat pump system.”

The café, relaunched alongside the Sustainable Home Centre in 2024, now serves breakfast, lunch and drinks, welcoming both customers and trainees.

Benefits of the Sustainable Home Network

The Sustainable Home Network has already had a positive impact. “We’ve been impressed by the level of support, training, and community within the Sustainable Home Network.”

And the results are clear: “We’ve seen increased engagement from both installers and homeowners, positioning Harris & Bailey as a trusted source for renewable heating solutions in South London and Surrey.”

“We’ve seen increased engagement from both installers and homeowners.”

Looking ahead

Harris & Bailey see their SHC as just the beginning. The plan is to continue growing their training offer, building installer confidence, and helping more homeowners make the switch. “We want to keep expanding awareness of renewable heating and give people the confidence to take that step,” they say.

With the site already powered by solar and Daikin technology, the company aims to demonstrate that a building supplier with over a century of history can still lead the way in sustainability and inspire others in the industry to follow suit.

“We want to keep expanding awareness of renewable heating and give people the confidence to take that step.”

Daikin UK visit

On 6 August 2025, Harris & Bailey welcomed Tomoji Miki, Managing Director of Daikin UK, who toured the centre and praised the partnership for showing what the future of low-carbon living can look like.