A COMPANY specialising in cast iron baths has chosen York as the location for its first dedicated retail base ahead of plans to expand into London and overseas.

Having grown turnover to more than £4 million, and staff numbers from four to 24 in the last three years, The Cast Iron Bath Company has expanded out of its warehouse in Scarborough into its first standalone showroom in Colliergate.

The move comes as the business prepares to open a second showroom in Islington in coming months, with future plans to open stores overseas to cater for its export market, which currently accounts for around 10 per cent of sales.

Former archaeologist Lee Hunwicks, who founded the business in 2008, said: “We’ve seen really positive growth for the business, and have become the biggest cast iron bath dealer.

“We ship products all over the world, with markets in Australia, the US, Europe, Japan and South Korea, sending out products every day.

“We decided that to offer the right levels of customer service domestically we needed a showroom, where people can see our products and what they offer.

“I did my MA in York, so have got an emotional attachment to the place. It’s a beautiful city, and the demographics are just right for us, with excellent transport links.

“We plan to evolve the brand until it is the first place people think of for cast iron and roll-top baths.”

The firm is being advised by Robert Solyom of Leeds chartered accountants Brown Butler, who began working with the firm in 2013, and has helped its development.

Cast Iron Bath Company’s creative director Ann Louise Roswald said: “We believe it is now right to complement the business with a range of showrooms.”