Bathroom company taps in to new potential in the North East

AN entrepreneur from the North-East who started selling bathroom furniture on eBay has opened his second showroom.

Raymond Dobson, from Gateshead, began using the internet auction site while working for a large motor group in December 2003. He started selling shower trays for local manufacturer after finding out they had excess stock. Today, WD Bathrooms sells deluxe showers and bathrooms suites from a wide range of suppliers.

The company is expecting to turnover £4m over the next twelve months and employs 20 staff. Mr Dobson has a showroom, in Sheffield, where the company was founded, and has just opened a second in Hebburn, South Tyneside. He said: “The reason for opening a new showroom up here is that I am from here originally and live here most of the time.” “Also a large proportion of interest in our products comes from the North East region. The new showroom will also act as a distribution point for our Tyneside customers that purchase through our website” “We wanted to have a physical presence in the market place so people can try before they buy.”

Less than six months after selling shower trays online Mr Dobson quit his job and set up his business full time with his friend Mark Wilson, 31. He added: “All my friends said I was mad when I went out on my own because I had a really good job at the time. “It was difficult at first but I was confident I could make it work. “Now we are one of the top bathroom suppliers on the internet.”

WD Bathrooms first showroom opened in Sheffield in May 2005 and they have since moved to larger premises near junction 35 of the M1 in Sheffield.

The new premises in Hebburn, has three sales advisers to help customers.
It can be found at Victoria Road Industrial Estate, Hebburn.

To visit the firm website log on to www.wdbathrooms.co.uk or call the sales team on 0191-489-5324.