Murals firm has growth plans covered
A LANCASHIRE small business is looking to double its workforce after buying bigger premises.
Blackpool-based wall mural designer and distributor 1Wall, which was launched in 2012 by brothers Scott and Gavin Jones, has grown to a £2.1m turnover concern with 13 employees.
It’s growth plans are being supported by a funding package of £340,000 from Yorkshire Bank which has enabled its move to Kincraig Court in the seaside town.
The brothers identified a gap in the market for quality and affordable wall murals while working at their established family-owned wallpaper and home furnishing business, Discount Wallpaper.
They began with a trade launch of just 12 mural designs but the success of the product was evident when major retailers like Argos and Wilko said they were interested in placing orders.
Key to 1Wall’s success has been securing a number of major licensing agreements from brands such as LIFE magazine, Moto GP, DreamWorks, VW and Discovery Channel. It now sells more than 300 mural designs.
After just three years in business, 1Wall now retails to more than 600 independent interior stores across the UK and exports its products internationally to more than 30 countries. Most recently the company secured a deal with B&Q to supply a range of exclusive designs to all of its UK stores.
Director Scott Jones said: “We had outgrown our old premises and it was beginning to restrict our business ambitions because we simply didn’t have the room to store large orders. Moving to these new premises will allow the business to grow in new directions.
“We’re continually innovating to keep ahead of interior trends and to ensure that we’re creating the right products. Maps have always been an incredibly popular line for us and in January this year, we launched a new concept called creative collage, which brings something completely new to the market. We are now also looking into creating bespoke designs and sizes in response to customer demand.”
The deal was facilitated by Andy Nurse, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank in Preston.
Ian Hardman, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in the city said: “The Jones family have been longstanding customers of Yorkshire Bank and we are thrilled to be able to support Scott and Gavin – the next generation of this entrepreneurial family – as they enter a significant landmark in their business plan.”
