Two Cleckheaton companies used the Government’s Funding for Lending scheme to finance their expansion plans.

LSi Gifts and Home Furnishings UK, have acquired new premises with funding from Barclays.

LSi has bought Braemar and Northfield House at Snelsins Road. The former 19th century vicarage will provide more than quadruple the firm’s space with room for further expansion.

Lloyd Simpson, LSi managing director, said the new premises had created the UK'’s largest promotional merchandise showroom.

He said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in business over the past three years and as we had considerably outgrown our old premises, we were desperate to relocate and buy new premises.

“We now have fantastic hi-spec offices and on-site warehousing and distribution. The new funding from Barclays has helped us refurbish to a high standard and by utilising the Government-backed Funding for Lending scheme, Barclays provide cash-back which gives us flexibility with our working capital going forward.”

LSi employs 26 staff locally and has a turnover of more than £3 million. Mr Simpson said the new base would help attract new customers and boost turnover further. The company was recently voted distributor of the year by members of the British Promotional Merchandise Association.

Home Furnishings UK has bought a purpose built site at Rapyal Business Park as its new headquarters and distribution centre, where it hopes to expand its 20-strong workforce.

The £2 million turnover business, which started in 2003 with a single-fronted shop, has grown organically since then. The two new Fireplaces4Life and Garden Village UK showrooms and extra warehousing will provide capacity for further growth.

Sajid Hussain, joint director, said: “Purchasing the new premises is a major step forward in our future strategy and will take Home Furnishings UK growth plans to the next level. The timing of this investment could not have been better and the cashback payment from Barclays will provide some flexibility as we continue with our expansion plans.”

Mohammed Amjad, joint director said the funds had also enabled the company to invest in two new websites – fireplaces4 life.co.uk and gardenvillage uk.co.uk.

Brighouse and Spen MP Mike Wood officially launched the new site and said: “It’s great to see a retail business expanding and thriving in the current climate.”