BRADFORD-based overseas trade specialist, Chamber International, is assisting a furniture manufacturer which hopes to double exports to Europe in the next 12 months.

Footstools Direct Ltd, Leeds, which manufactures bespoke branded furniture and upholstered footstools for events, exhibitions, retailers, bars and clubs, hotels and restaurants, already has customers throughout the UK and in Europe but has asked Chamber International to help grow its export trade.

The small business, which was founded in south Wales in 2007 and relocated to Leeds the following year, has a £150,000 turnover, three full-time staff and several part-time workers to cover busy periods.

As well as supplying businesses, often through interior designers and specifiers, Footstools Direct Ltd sells unbranded products to the public through an e-commerce website and has an additional brand, Footstools 2U, supplying footstools and cube furniture through a well-known global website to customers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Recent sales include to a major hotel group, a leading sportswear brand and the UK's second and third largest tour operators.

The company has started work with Chamber International as Britain starts Brexit negotiations.

Chamber International, which is based in Vicar Lane, Bradford, is helping to boost its sales in continental Europe by finding different sales routes and business and private customers, in addition to its platform on the global website.

Chamber International's international services manager, Lucy Jones, said: “Well-made traditional products crafted by British manufacturers have wide export appeal and we look forward to working with overseas and industry contacts to help Footstools Direct develop sales in Europe.

“Small businesses like Footstools are right to press ahead with developing a European exports strategy now rather than waiting to see what trade arrangements are made with Brexit. Those that start to plan now will be best place when the UK leaves the EU.”

Footstools director, Andrew Lydon, said: “Overseas sales currently account for five per cent of our turnover but we hope to double this in the next 12 months. Chamber International has huge expertise and a raft of experienced people it can call on for assistance.

"We’ve initially asked them to help create French and German language versions of our website and for overseas business contacts and details of relevant trade shows.”