A Derbyshire home improvements company has found the secret of surviving the recession, through offering a broad range of services to clients while providing staff with career development opportunities and training.

Aquarius Home Improvements Ltd was set up just seven years ago by husband and wife team, Jane and John Bosworth. The pair based the company in Ilkeston and quickly established it as a local business that offered top quality work and services.

Speaking to the Ilkeston Advertiser, Jane said that they had reached a position in 2008 – at the very height of the economic crisis – where they were able to move into new premises on the Manners Industrial Estate, confounding the then-plummeting fortunes of the construction and home works industry.

She said that the work is still pouring in and it has enabled them to build a loyal and highly-skilled staff of local tradesmen and women.

“We have six full-time employees, three company vehicles and complete between eight and 12 bathroom and kitchen installations per month,” she told the newspaper. “We have also recently taken on a new apprentice.”

The company’s installation and home construction specialists form one arm of the company, while a separate handyman provision sees specialist workers cover tasked ranging from decorating and plastering, to basic repairs, door-hanging and tiling.

Jane said that Aquarius serves its clients with no-obligation design services for kitchens, bathrooms and other home design projects, which can then be turned into reality through the skilled work of their employees.

She explained that she believes the quality of the workers and their status as a well-regarded local company have the key ingredient to surviving the economic downturn. Jane said, “Our home improvements experts will be able to design you exactly the home improvements that you want and you are able to see your creation, and our competitive prices, before you’ve agreed to anything.”