An award-winning hot tub business in North Wales is looking forward to a year of growth
Managing Director Gareth Jones started UK Leisure Living in 2015 and has since turned it into one of the UK’s leading hot tub retailers. He approached the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for help with further growing the business and has benefitted from a range of specialist support, including help with recruitment and updating their HR policies and procedures.
- relationship management support with expansion plans
- help with recruitment
- specialist HR advice
Introduction to business
UK Leisure Living is one of the leading hot tub brands in the UK, operating across the home, leisure and construction sectors. The business offers the latest outdoor and indoor leisure equipment, including high quality hot tubs, swim spas, and composite decking services.
With its main showroom in Mochdre near Colwyn Bay, UK Leisure Living covers North Wales, Wirral, Cheshire and Manchester, and caters for a variety of budgets and specifications.
Why did you decide to set up your own business?
I thrive on opportunity so I have set up a number of businesses over the years. The main reason for this has been the freedom that it gives me! Also, the unlimited earning potential.
What challenges did you face?
There have been so many challenges over the years! From rogue ex-business partners to the recession in 2008 to staff issues – challenges, I believe, all business owners come across.
Business Wales support
Business Wales are providing Relationship Management support with the expansion of the business, recruitment through the Jobs Growth Wales scheme and health and safety requirements for their new site. A specialist HR adviser is further helping Gareth and the team with updating their policies and procedures.
Outcomes
- relationship Management support with expansion plans
- help with recruitment
- specialist HR advice
Getting in touch with Business Wales and our Relationship Manager, Svetlana Ross, gave us an update on what support is available at the moment. Off the back, we are engaging with an HR adviser to revise our HR policies and procedures, while Svetlana is helping us to apply for grants and look at employing more people.
Future plans and ambitions
We have so many! The main priority at the moment, however, is launching Wales’ first swim spa centre to complement our already successful hot tub business.
If you want to read more success stories of how Business Wales has helped other people like you to start or grow their businesses, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/case-studies or follow @_businesswales / @_busnescymru on Twitter.