BC DESIGNS

TIME TO RELAX

IN A BC BATH

Bathrooms are changing, with an increasing focus on comfort over aesthetics. BC Designs’ latest range offers the best of both worlds, proving that customers don’t need to sacrifice style for substance.

Ideal Bathrooms is proud to be the exclusive distributor for BC Designs collection of freestanding baths, offering customers a versatile range of hard-wearing, solid baths that look just as good as they feel.

Ideal Bathrooms partnership with BC Design dates back to 2017, when managing director Darren Allison was looking for a partner that could offer UK-wide distribution.

Darren said: “We’d already seen the success of our Bayswater brand being distributed through Ideal; we had an exclusive deal for three years and now, five years on, we’ve changed our route to market.

“Since then, we’ve seen year-on-year growth, and I know we can always rely on Ideal to deliver the service levels they’ve promised.”

Freestanding baths

The latest range, designed exclusively for Ideal Bathrooms, comprises 7 freestanding bath designs, in various sizes, offering a total of 14 SKUs. All of the models are made from one-piece Lucite acrylic, which means there are no unsightly join lines or marks, creating a sleek look in any bathroom – or any other room.

Freestanding baths have become increasingly popular over recent years, as customers aspire to recreate the boutique hotel feel, but space can often be a premium.

Darren added: “One of the things we’ve looked at is the design, because we know that people do want freestanding baths but they don’t necessarily have the room, so we’ve designed ones that go up to the wall, giving the best of both worlds. The Blecthley Freestanding bath

These latest collections are a perfect blend of style, practicality and comfort and we’re excited to be bringing them to market – we’re sure they’ll prove incredibly popular.

Danielle Lillis, Sales & Commercial Director at Ideal Bathrooms

Key facts about the new BC Designs baths:

Wide range of freestanding baths

Available in lengths of 1500mm, 1550mm, 1600mm and 1700mm

Widths of 700mm, 750mm and 800mm

Hard-wearing designs means a longer life

All products come with a 10 year guarantee

“We’ve also made a point of creating baths in smaller sizes so they will go into other rooms, such as bedrooms. I’ve even known of customers using our small freestanding baths in the kitchen to wash the dogs in when they come in.”

All of the models feature a non-porous surface, temperature stability to keep the water warmer than other baths, chemical staining resistance, and are easy to plumb and install with overflow and waste included.

Solidblue baths

As well as the freestanding models, BC Designs have also manufactured a range of Solidblue extra-strong baths, which are available through ideal Bathrooms. The range of reinforced baths, which are designed to stay warmer for longer, comprises 39 SKUs in a range of styles and sizes. The baths are made from high-quality acrylic and fibreglass, which is completely resistant to UV rays and therefore prevents discolouring when exposed to sunlight. The baths are reinforced with layers of fibreglass, resin and a special hardening composite, known as BC-Solidblue which makes the baths much stronger and improves insulation. As a result, the water stays warm for longer.

They are available in straight, L and P-shaped models to suit any style and shape of bathroom, maximising space, and comes in a wide range of sizes.

Danielle Lillis, Ideal Bathrooms’ Sales and Commercial Director, said: “We’ve worked with BC Designs for five years now, bringing their extensive Bayswater range of baths to retailers across the UK.

“They are known for their skilled craftsmanship, high quality and reputation, and, with this latest range, continue to push the boundaries of great bathroom design.

“These latest collections are a perfect blend of style, practicality and comfort and we’re excited to be bringing them to market – we’re sure they’ll prove incredibly popular.”

For more information about BC Designs bath ranges visit idealbathrooms.com or call 0800 634 2600.

Monreale bath

POST PANDEMIC LIFE -

HOW IS THE BATHROOM WORLD FARING?

Last year was record-breaking for the bathroom industry. Despite a pandemic, lockdowns, and a variety of restrictions on our daily lives, the market positively flourished, with sales higher than ever.

According to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), sales among its members (which total more than 80% of the market) reached nearly £1.2bn in 2021.

BMA chief executive Tom Reynolds said: “Initially, the pandemic forced sales to plummet as the economy shutdown. There was a great level of uncertainty with some predictions looking grim in terms of consumer spending on home improvement. However, that gloom has proved unfounded with unprecedented interest in bathroom refurbishment since late 2020.

“The bounce-back has continued through the whole of 2021, with total sales exceeding £1.18 billion, 4% up on pre-pandemic levels. This shows the resilience of companies in our industry.”

We’re also seeing that people now are much more interested in where they live, because they’ve spent so much time at home, so instead of just existing, they want something that really suits them.

Darren Allison, Managing Director of BC Designs

Darren Allison, Managing Director of BC Designs, who we speak to on page 8, agrees that the market is continuing to flourish.

“Frankly, the market over the course of the pandemic and beyond has been amazing; the growth has been phenomenal.

“The housing market is buoyant – and what’s the first thing you do when you move into a new house? The kitchen or the bathroom.

“We’re also seeing that people now are much more interested in where they live, because they’ve spent so much time at home, so instead of just existing, they want something that really suits them.”

And what about the future? Will the changes we’ve all seen over the course of the past two years continue to impact on the way we live and work?

With headlines increasingly filled with stories about rising inflation and interest rates, not to mention a cost-of-living crisis and demand outstripping supply, is the bathroom bubble about to burst?

Tom Reynolds, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association is one of the voices urging caution about the challenges in global shipping and UK haulage that has left many bathroom manufacturers struggling to keep up with such unprecedented demand.

While the cost of living crisis may have an impact on the bathroom industry as it recovers from the pandemic, business leaders’ concerns are being heard.

In his Spring Statement in March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a cut in fuel duty for only the second time in 20 years. It will be reduced by 5p a litre for a full 12 months, which will no doubt come as a relief to all those who have watched prices at the pumps creep up.

With steps like these, and the housing market remaining buoyant, we’re confident that the market can continue to flourish – no matter the landscape.

What are your predictions for the bathroom market in 2022?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.