Today...

8th December. A date in December, a date many are looking forward to Christmas on, just over two weeks to go, present buying, Christmas Markets, Drinks with friends and family. But for us the 8th December is a very different kind of day and this one mark’s 10 years since the death of our founder, friend and to three of us our Father Philip Grocott.

10 years. A decade. It’s such a long time but also no time at all. It’s hard to know what to write or even what to do to mark the passing of time since the death of a special person. However, we felt that we needed to do something.

Philip Grocott was the original founder of Phoenix Gas. A business he started with his wife and our Mum Christine Grocott from a garage conversion office at their home in Milton, Stoke-on-Trent in the early 90’s. It went from strength to strength and in the year of 2013 just before his death, had two offices in Newcastle-under-Lyme and around 60 staff. Phil was well respected within the industry and his determination and business acumen had led Phoenix to a great position within the community.

His death in 2013 sent shock waves through us all and was unexpected and sudden. He left a huge void in not just our family but in the phoenix family too. In the ten years that has past I would like to think he would be proud of what we have accomplished and how we have grown the business that he started and built. We would like to truly thank the staff that were here when he passed away. We could not have gotten through it without you and the staff that have been with us over the last 10 years. You have all been part of the journey that brought us forward and to where we are now. 10 years on and I am sure he would not believe how far we have come. But we must remember on this 10-year anniversary that we would not be here without him or our Mum Christine and that Phoenix would not be the strong thriving family ran business that it is today. We now employ around 200 staff and have 3 offices in three locations in the UK, Darlington in the North, Oldbury in the West Midlands, and we have a head office that has been redesigned in Tunstall with all renewable technology that stands as the prototype for what we can deliver for customers. The roof supports a 20kW photovoltaic system to generate electricity with an added battery storage system to harvest surplus production. Our offices have EV charging points and a solar thermal system provides hot water. We hope he would be proud of what we have achieved.

But all business aside Philip Grocott was one of a kind and such a character, someone who had a presence when he walked into a room, but more than this, he was our Dad and we are so proud to have had a Dad like him and we were and still are in awe of all that he and our Mum achieved. We miss him every day of our lives.

Time has been a strange thing since he left. It’s been ten long years, yet the impressions you left are as fresh as morning dew. We cherish the love and wisdom you have gifted us, your legacy lives on. In your absence, Dad, we have come to realise that you never really left. We see your reflection in our actions, hear your voice in our thoughts. You are still here, guiding us and Phoenix from above.

Thinking of everyone who has lost someone close and especially at Christmas time. Remember to focus on the good times and happy memories and move forward, as the most precious thing we all have is time.

We think of you every day Dad but today more than ever we will remember who you were, what you achieved and admire you. You were someone who enjoyed life to the full and really lived it. We promise to do the same. Kirsty, Kyle and Callum x