AN ULVERSTON business with humble beginnings is celebrating after expanding its premises as a result of continued growth.

The Plastic Bottles Company, which wholesales its products to sectors including health, leisure and DIY, started life as a home based eBay business.

Established by Glenn and Julie Doherty in their spare time in 2006, orders grew until the couple decided to upscale operations and give up their day jobs in 2011.

The business now employs 12 people and exports account for 19 per cent of its turnover - up five percent on the last financial year.

Mr Doherty said: “The government is running a high profile marketing campaign, Exporting is Great, encouraging businesses to look at the opportunities exporting offers. As we have found, there are lots of markets to target and Cumbrian businesses can grow in this way.

“Our sales growth is the result of our focus on a very high quality, personal service, aiming to make life easier for our customers. That’s our unique selling point in a very competitive market."

The couple hope to see turnover exceeding £3million by 2020 and they believe the new website will make it even easier for customers to order the products they need online.

Mrs Doherty explained said that she thought it was a culmination of factors that had led to the business' success.

"I think that it's the determination of Gary," she said. "His need to succeed. He wanted to build a good business. I think we have surrounded ourselves with really talented and skilled staff that have the same values as us."

She added that she thought that excellent customer service was also key as well as the fact the business offered next day delivery.

Mrs Doherty said the new office space gave the business room to expand even further and to employ more local people.