A bespoke furniture company’s social media accounts went viral after it exhibited at Grand Designs Live London.

Christopher Leslie Bespoke, run by Hayley Gee and Chris Ansell from Newcastle-under-Lyme, had millions of interactions from around the UK and further afield.

An Instagram post about one of its bespoke creations was viewed 1.5 million times with another viewed 1.2 million times.

The business, which initially worked in North Staffordshire, now has enquires nationally and internationally, is booked for work months in advance and is being called on for full-room or multi-room transformations.

Hayley said: “We have always been a busy business, often booking projects months in advance, but over the past year something has shifted quite significantly. What was once mainly local work has grown into consistent enquiries from across the UK and now internationally, with clients discovering us purely through our online presence.

“A major turning point for us was exhibiting at Grand Designs Live London. It pushed us beyond our local audience and introduced our work to a completely different level of client.

“Since then, the scale and quality of enquiries has noticeably changed, with more clients approaching us for full-room and multi-room projects rather than single pieces.

“Our growth has also been driven heavily by social media, which has become one of the biggest drivers of our enquiries. We’ve built a strong following by showing not just finished projects, but the process, the detail and the level of craftsmanship involved.

“One of our media wall designs in particular has gained significant traction and has become something we are recognised for, bringing in a consistent stream of enquiries and helping establish a clear identity for the brand.

“What makes this growth even more significant is that we are based in an area where high-end bespoke furniture isn’t always the norm. Rather than competing on price, we made a conscious decision to position ourselves within the premium market, focusing on quality, detail and the overall client experience.

“That decision has allowed us to attract clients who value design and craftsmanship, and who see what we create as a long-term investment.”

An interior designer and a cabinet maker/project manager, partners Hayley Gee and Chris Ansell used their 28 years of combined industry knowledge to set up Christopher Leslie Bespoke.

Set up as a limited company in August 2022, Chris had previously worked as a sole trader.

Christopher Leslie Bespoke has entered the Small Business of the Year and Growth Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.