AN AWARD-WINNING company is celebrating its fifth year in business by announcing a major sales increase.

Simply Bows and Chair Covers, based on the County Durham-Northumberland border, was established by Sarah Pittendrigh and has just completed its most successful year to date.

Its franchise network, which operates from Aberdeen to South Wales and Essex, has handled more than 1,500 weddings and events and fitted more than 120,000 chair covers within the past five years.

Sarah, who runs the County Durham and Teesside franchise, now dresses more than 50 weddings and events a month during peak months, compared to 80 during the whole of its first year in business.

Due to its success Kristy Giblin, who previously operated the Northumberland and Cumbria franchise, has become national business development manager. Her previous franchise has been taken on by husband and wife team, Jaimie and Andrew Johnston.

The business is a preferred supplier for many luxury hotels across the UK including Rockliffe Hall and Seaham Hall in the North-East, Rudding Park in North Yorkshire, Donnington Hotel and Spa, Berkshire, and The Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa near Dundee.

The fifth anniversary celebrations will include a celebratory event at Middleton Lodge, near Richmond, in September.

The company has won more than 14 business awards, including the British Chamber of Commerce’s Most Promising New Business accolade in 2012. It was was runner up to McDonalds in the Franchise Marketing Awards best website and was 2012 newcomer of the year at the North East Business Awards.