As part of Forest Pennant’s planned expansion and investment strategy, the stone specialist has teamed up with Charcon, part of Aggregate Industries, in a distribution agreement that will further extend the availability of its Royal Forest Pennant sandstone across the UK. Rising demand for this versatile British Pennant stone has resulted in a need for increased routes to market. With CICS’ verification under PAS 2050, and as the UK’s lowest carbon rated natural stone, it is a sustainable, future-proof building material.

Speaking about the partnership, Forest Pennant managing director, Nick Horton said: “Business is booming and the number of schemes utilising our stone is increasing rapidly, from the Apple store, Covent Garden to streetscape and paving regeneration in Ebbw Vale. Our partnership with Charcon will give us “more feet on the street” and provide increased support nationally. We look forward to working with Charcon and are excited to maximise the full potential of our stone, and further develop it as a competitive, commercially available option.”

Royal Forest Pennant sandstone products will strengthen and enhance the existing Charcon natural stone hard landscaping product portfolio. Commenting on the addition to the range Charcon’s commercial manager – natural stone, Steve Hook said: “Charcon offers an extensive range of natural stone for customers. The versatility of the Pennant stone with the added sustainability benefits of the reduced carbon footprint makes for an important addition to the existing range. We will be offering the full Royal Forest Pennant hard landscaping package including a range of other products in addition to paving.”

Royal Forest pennant sandstone is famed for its consistent high technical performance and durability. Only available from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, it has been used for centuries in a number of prestigious locations where the highest aesthetic requirements are needed within the most demanding of applications. More recently, it has been used to create a bespoke six-metre Apple Tree mosaic for Hereford Cathedral; whilst a full complement of hard landscaping products, strip cladding, masonry and coping will complete Worcester’s innovative ‘The Hive’ project, opening later this Summer.