Ready Mixed Mortar in Widnes: Collect From Beesley & Fildes
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Ready mixed mortar can be collected in Widnes at Beesley & Fildes, Clare Sawmills, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8PX. For contractors searching for mortar near Liverpool, Clare Sawmills is the nearest self-service mortar collection point, approximately 15 miles from the city via the A562 and M62. The machine is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm. Six mortar products are available from 0.25m³ with no booking required and no minimum order.
Mortar Collection at Beesleys — Site Details
Site: fibo Collect at Beesley & Fildes Ltd, Widnes
Address: Clare Sawmills, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8PX
Phone: 0151 422 4600
Website: beesleyandfildes.co.uk
Opening Hours:
Day | Hours |
Monday to Friday | 7:30am to 5:00pm |
Saturday | 8:00am to 12:00pm |
Sunday | Closed |
Mortar is available in two tub sizes: 0.25m³ and 0.33m³. Tubs are available for purchase at the branch. Mortar can also be dispensed directly into a vehicle or trailer where preferred.
What Goes Into the Mix
The mortar produced at Clare Sawmills uses graded 0–2mm mortar sand only. There is no sharp sand and no aggregate in the standard 6:1, 4:1, or 3:1 mixes. That sand specification matters for the finished result: fine mortar sand gives a clean, consistent joint finish and produces reliable bond strength across every batch. It is the sand type used in purpose-made mortar products, not a compromise with coarser materials that affect workability and finish.
The paving range takes a different approach. Two Slabmix products are available, and the distinction between them is the sand blend. Slabmix 4:1 with sharp and soft sand produces a more workable, flexible mix, easier to handle and spread, with a finish that suits Indian stone, porcelain, and standard paving slabs. Slabmix 4:1 with sharp sand only is stronger and more rigid, the correct choice for heavy-use areas, commercial paving, and applications where surface movement needs to be minimised. Both are available from 0.25m³ and the choice is made at point of order.
Readymix Mortar Products in Widnes: What Each One Is For
M4 Mortar is the general-purpose masonry mortar, for garden walls, general brickwork, and standard domestic masonry. Air Entrainer (AEA) is included as standard, which works similarly to plasticiser: it improves workability and provides frost resistance by increasing air content in the mix. Retarder is available on request, extending the working window depending on the duration chosen.
M6 Mortar steps up the strength class. For external masonry, blockwork, and applications where a more durable finish is required. AEA is included and retarder is available. When specifying mortar for exposed external walls or above-DPC brickwork, 4:1 is typically the correct choice over 6:1.
3:1 Mortar is the highest-strength option in the standard range. For structural masonry where a high compressive strength is specified. Again, AEA is standard and retarder is available.
The retarder choice is practical and should be matched to the job: 24hr retarder is appropriate for next-day use, mortar collected in the afternoon and used the following morning. 48 to 72hr retarder suits longer stop-start jobs or work in hot weather conditions where standard mortar would set faster than the job allows. Mortar can be retarded for up to 72 hours for extended working time.
Mortar Reference — Products and Applications
Product | Sand Type | AEA | Retarder | Key Application |
6:1 Mortar | Graded 0–2mm mortar sand | Included | Available (24hr / 48hr / 72hr) | General brickwork, garden walls, domestic masonry |
4:1 Mortar | Graded 0–2mm mortar sand | Included | Available (24hr / 48hr / 72hr) | External masonry, blockwork, stronger applications |
3:1 Mortar | Graded 0–2mm mortar sand | Included | Available (24hr / 48hr / 72hr) | High-strength structural masonry |
Slabmix 4:1 (sharp and soft sand) | Sharp and soft sand blend | — | — | Indian stone, porcelain, standard paving; workable finish |
Slabmix 4:1 (sharp sand only) | Sharp sand only | — | — | Heavy-use paving, commercial applications; rigid finish |
Mortar for Flags | Recycled grit sand | — | Available on request | General flags, patios, landscaping; lower cost option |
All products available from 0.25m³. The 4-minute batch cycle — one minute dosing, two minutes mixing, one minute pouring — means a 0.25m³ collection is loaded and ready in under five minutes at the machine.
Guidance only, not professional advice. Always confirm mix and volume with a qualified professional and your supplier before ordering.
How Much Mortar Does the Job Need?
The following coverage data is taken from Beesley & Fildes' own published reference information for the Clare Sawmills machine.
For brickwork and blockwork, a 0.25m³ tub lays approximately 385 facing bricks or 379 blocks using 10mm joints. A 0.33m³ tub lays approximately 508 facing bricks or 500 blocks. For planning larger projects, allow approximately 0.65m³ per 1,000 bricks or 0.66m³ per 1,000 blocks — then add 10 to 15% for cuts, tolerances, and waste.
For paving, the slab coverage figures from Beesley & Fildes' own data are as follows:
Standard 900 × 600mm slabs:
Bed depth | 0.25m³ tub | 0.33m³ tub |
30mm | 15 slabs | 19 slabs |
40mm | 11 slabs | 14 slabs |
Standard 600 × 600mm slabs:
Bed depth | 0.25m³ tub | 0.33m³ tub |
30mm | 22 slabs | 28 slabs |
For other slab sizes, the formula is: Tub volume (m³) ÷ (slab length × slab width × bed depth × 1.1). The 1.1 factor accounts for 10% waste.
For retarder selection: use a 24hr retarder for next-day jobs, 48hr for stop-start work or moderate heat, and 72hr for extended periods or hot weather. The machine's moisture probes monitor sand moisture content and automatically adjust the mix water for a consistent result every batch.
Mortar Questions — Widnes, Runcorn, and Near Liverpool
Where can I collect ready mixed mortar near Liverpool and Runcorn? Ready mixed mortar can be collected at Beesley & Fildes, Clare Sawmills, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8PX. The site is approximately 15 miles from Liverpool via the A562 and M62, and is directly accessible from Runcorn via the Silver Jubilee Bridge and A557. The machine is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm.
How many bricks or blocks will a mortar tub lay? 0.25m³ tub lays approximately 385 facing bricks or 379 standard blocks using 10mm joints. A 0.33m³ tub lays approximately 508 facing bricks or 500 blocks. For larger jobs, allow 0.65m³ per 1,000 bricks or 0.66m³ per 1,000 blocks, plus 10 to 15% for cuts and waste.
Which retarder should I choose for my mortar? Match the retarder to how long before the mortar will be used. A 24hr retarder suits mortar collected in the afternoon for use the following morning. A 48hr retarder suits stop-start jobs or warmer conditions where mortar would otherwise set faster than the work allows. A 72hr retarder is appropriate for the longest jobs or extended periods in hot weather. Retarder is available on 4:1, 6:1, and 3:1 mortars.
What is the difference between the two Slabmix products? Both Slabmix products are a 4:1 mix, but they use different sand blends. Slabmix 4:1 with sharp and soft sand is more workable and produces a flexible, forgiving finish, the better choice for Indian stone, porcelain, and standard paving where ease of adjustment matters. Slabmix 4:1 with sharp sand only is stronger and more rigid, suited to heavy-use commercial paving and applications where minimal surface movement is required.
Is the machine open on Saturdays? Yes. The fibo Collect machine in Widnes is open on Saturdays from 8:00am to 12:00pm. It is closed on Sundays. Monday to Friday opening is 7:30am to 5:00pm. No booking is required on any day.
Collect Mortar at Beesley & Fildes, Clare Sawmills
Beesley & Fildes Ltd — fibo Collect Widnes
Clare Sawmills Hale Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 8PX
Phone: 0151 422 4600 Email: widnes@beesleyandfildes.co.uk Website: beesleyandfildes.co.uk Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm | Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm | Sunday Closed
For the full product list including concrete and screed, visit the Widnes machine page at fibocollect.uk/widnes. DISCLAIMER: This blog is for guidance only, not professional advice. Mix type, strength, and volume requirements vary by project. It's your responsibility to confirm what you need with a qualified professional and with your supplier before ordering. fibo Collect UK accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from reliance on this information. Nothing here limits any liability that cannot be excluded by law.
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