Booming Betta Living starts investor search

DEAN House, the company which owns the Betta Living retail brand, is looking for an investor to help accelerate the growth of the business, after reporting a 44% hike in earnings.

Betta Living, which was founded in Oldham in 1966 and specialises in the design, build and installation of fitted kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, has 29 shops and is planning to open two more this year.

In a statement it said it had hired the corporate finance adviser Rickitt Mitchell to advise on the introduction of a potential investor, owner or new trade partner to drive future growth.

In the year to November 20 it said turnover was up 22% to £29.9m and pre-tax profits rose 44% to £1.5m.

Chairman Noel Dean said: “The home improvement market has been through a torrid time but we have been able to grow our market share and develop our brand by maintaining customer service levels and controlling costs.

“We have started the current year extremely strongly, with web sales up by 30% and higher average order values. In addition the new stores will greatly enhance our geographic presence and give us physical locations in areas where we already have very good internet demand.”

The business employs 320 people.