A LEADING county clothing business has kitted itself out with new premises.

Orchard Clothing, which supplies school wear, sports wear and work wear throughout the UK, has moved across town in Redditch to Hunt End Trading Estate in Dunlop Road.

Its customers include government agencies, local authorities, the armed forces, schools, universities and nurseries. The company manufactures its own Orchard brand in the UK and imports from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China.

Company founder Ray Eyre said: "“The new location has provided us with a larger showroom, increased stock capacity, our own in-house embroidery facility and improved free parking facilities. It started with me and one employee but we quickly took on two others. Growth has been 30 per cent in the first year, 20 per cent in year two and 20 per cent in year three. Since Christmas we have taken on another two members of staff and a contract book keeper. We are aiming to grow another 20 per cent this year and are looking for two more additional staff plus some temporary part timers for the summer period.”

Ben Truslove, a director of property agents John Truslove which aided the move, said: “It is great to see a small business doing so well. Particularly impressive is how it has tailored different operations for specific market sectors. I am sure it will go far.”