The coronavirus lockdown and weeks of sunny weather has seen a hot tub company report record sales.
UK Leisure Living - based in St Asaph and Mochdre - saw a 70% hike in sales in comparison to last April, and May has been the busiest ever for the company.
But managing director Gareth Jones said he knew this was not the case for many companies who have been badly impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown.
He urged people in North Wales to support local firms at this critical time and as we emerge from lockdown.
His own company opened a new swimspa centre just weeks before the pandemic struck the UK.
“The weather has certainly helped us, and the fact we work with different brands and suppliers means we have a steady flow of hot tubs coming into the warehouse and going out to customers,” he said.
“We are applying social distancing laws when installing and to be honest it’s like any other mail order process, we’re just there slightly longer.”
He added: “Ultimately, the whole industry has seen an increase in demand and while some will say it’s not an essential service the counter-argument is that having a hot tub – and they are a wide range of options, so it’s not as expensive as many people think – is a distraction and an escape for people at this challenging time
“For physical and mental health, it can be beneficial, and now more than ever that is vital.”
With people cancelling summer holidays abroad to stay in the UK and at home, he believes the trend will continue in the months ahead.
He added: “Like every business out there, we are taking each day as it comes.
“We’ve been offering discounts – notably to NHS workers – and had competitions including giving away a hot tub, anything to try and help people, as well as keeping business going and our staff in work.
“Of course it’s great for us to be busy and have such positive sales but ultimately it’s good for the economy and when restrictions ease it’s so important we get behind our local businesses, in tourism and all sectors, because they’re going to need us more than ever. I hope people will think local.
"It’s the local business people who support the community, sponsor local sports teams, raise money for local charities, employ local people who in turn spend their money in the region and contribute to the local economy, so please help them when they open their doors again.”
