HARRY Potter has boosted business for a York company, which supplies school furniture.

The children's books, by J K Rowling, and the subsequent Harry Potter films have led to a surge of children wanting to go to boarding school.

This has helped Castles UK Ltd, based at Locksley Park, Blind Lane, Tockwith, go from strength to strength.

This year, the company's third full year of trading, it achieved a record turnover, almost triple that of the first year. It has just received its largest order to date, a contract with Brighton College to furnish 102 bedrooms.

Now the firm, which employs seven workers, hopes to achieve glory in the Evening Press Business Awards. Castles UK has its sights set on the Growth business of the year award and the best business and education link award.

The company, which supplies residential and educational furniture to independent boarding schools, state schools and colleges, was started in 2001 by David Baldwin. Castles UK specialises in refurbishment, new build and bespoke work, and it designs and supplies furniture and fittings for classrooms, bedrooms and specialist rooms such as libraries, art and music rooms.

The firm has also started to supply furniture to hotels and youth hostels.

To meet the growing demand for its products, Castles UK recently moved into a 6,000 square foot purpose-built factory, three times the size of its original premises. Its customer base, which started out as only a handful of people has grown to more than 100, including Bootham and St Peter's, in York, and Fettes College, in Edinburgh.

General manager Ian Robertson said: "When we started out we knew we had a good business idea because it was such a niche market, but it was also a case of going about it the right way..

"Consideration must be given to the student, who being away from their home, must have as much comfort and security as possible.

"We must create a friendly and relaxed environment for them. In fact, it must be a home from home."

Castles UK also puts its success down to hard work, long hours and good customer service.

Updated: 11:55 Thursday, June 17, 2004