Mural company maps out future, supported by Yorkshire Bank

19 August 2015

A Blackpool-based wall mural designer and distributor is looking to double its workforce following the acquisition of larger premises, supported by Yorkshire Bank.

1Wall, which was established in 2012 and is owned by brothers Scott and Gavin Jones, recently secured a funding package of £340,000 to support a move to Kincraig Court in Blackpool. The deal was facilitated by Andy Nurse, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Preston.

The brothers identified a gap in the market for quality yet affordable wall murals while working at their established family owned wallpaper and home furnishing business. The duo began with a trade launch of just 12 mural designs but the success of the product was evident when major retailers like Argos and Wilkinsons said they were interested in placing orders.

Integral 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. The business, which has 13 employees, currently sells more than 300 mural designs and turnover for this year was £2.1million.

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 and we are grateful to Yorkshire Bank for the support. The expansion also means we are looking to double our workforce to meet demand across all areas of our business.”

He continued: “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.”

Ian Hardman, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Preston, 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.

“Our specialist knowledge of and focus on different sectors helps to bring a challenge to the market, giving small and medium sized business the speed and flexibility they require to fulfil their growth ambitions.”

Yorkshire Bank recently launched a series of lending initiatives for UK businesses, designed to encourage growth for new and existing customers. As well as capital-free periods for up to five years, the Bank has also introduced high percentage funding for businesses to purchase trading premises.

Yorkshire Bank has strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Yorkshire Bank will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.