Christmas Every Day for Liverpool Business
28th October 2008
With around two months to go most of us are still trying to put Christmas to the back of our minds. But for one Liverpool business Christmas is a year-round fixture.
The Christmas Decorators Limited, based in Wavertree, decorates the homes of the rich and famous, hotels, bars, restaurants and retail outlets for the festive season.
The company was set up four years ago by Liverpool-born director Sarah Bolton who came up with the idea when she was living in the U.S where she ran a similar business. She runs the company with co-director Martin Coop.
The business services both residential and corporate clients throughout the UK who include premiership footballers, A-list celebrities and top venues including the luxury London hotel, Claridges.
Now the company has raised a funding package of £50k which includes a £25k loan from Alliance Fund Managers through the MSIF Small Firms Fund, support from HSBC and directors’ own investment to support its expansion plans.
Director Martin Coop said: “We work closely with each client and provide a bespoke service to cater for individual tastes and ensure unique designs. Some of our products are manufactured in house and we also import from the Far East. We also recently opened our warehouse which will sell our products to the general public.
“Since the company was set up we have increased revenue by 800% and we are continuing to expand.
“An approach has been made for us to franchise the business in the U.S and Italy and we are also planning to franchise in the UK which will add around a further 30 to 40 outlets in the next five years.
“The funding from AFM has been fundamental to recent developments in the company. The money enabled us to buy stock for the warehouse and also provided us with the capital we needed to undertake a couple of big projects which we would have otherwise had to turn down.”
AFM investment manager Paul Humphray said: “Despite the obvious association with Christmas this business is busy all year round and has a demonstrable track record. The company has an impressive customer base and has experienced remarkable growth in sales. We are pleased to be supporting this business and wish them every success for the future.”
The Christmas decorators employ 5 full time staff and expect to create a further 5 -10 positions during the next three years. Turnover this year is expected to reach £500k.
Ends
For further information contact Angela White @ Alliance Fund Managers on 0151 242 6376.
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Photo shows L-R Martin Coop (Christmas Decorators Ltd) and Paul Humphray (AFM)
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