Design firm home in on latest trend; Property improvement is big business, find DM Design, as they expand to meet the demand for room makeovers, writes SASHA MANSWORTH.

Byline: SASHA MANSWORTH

THE home improvement industry has received a massive boost from the popularity of television shows such as BBC's Changing Rooms and ITV's Better Homes.

And one Scottish company is making the most of that trend by launching a new design company creating more than 100 full-time jobs.

DM Design Kitchens And Bedrooms launch Changing Rooms Bedrooms And Kitchens next week and are looking to recruit staff to fill a variety of positions, from surveyors and fitters to call centre staff.

Marion Drummond, DM Design's marketing manager, explained: ``DM Design have more than 20 years of experience in the kitchen and bedroom market.

``We are probably Scotland's largest kitchen and bedroom company, employing more than 250 permanent staff across five Scottish locations.

``Over the past year, we have developed an exciting new range full of inspirational designs and ideas. We have also decided to use our know-how to examine ways of giving the customer a totally new experience when it comes to buying their kitchen or bedroom.

``Originally, the plan was to incorporate these developments into our existing DM Design offering, but we found that our customers were already perfectly delighted with our existing range and service.''

The solution was to create a new company, Changing Rooms Bedrooms And Kitchens, to launch on October 6.

Marion said: ``We have already taken possession of our first Changing Rooms Bedrooms And Kitchens locations in Motherwell and Paisley.

``These will be an ideal base for our designers, who will be able to cover all of the Glasgow, Paisley and Livingston areas.

``We anticipate being able to service the whole of the central belt right from the word go. Plans have been finalised to revamp the existing Kirkcaldy premises so that we can also cover Fife, Edinburgh city and the Lothians.''

Marion added: ``With the launch has come a massive recruitment drive for staff.

``We calculate that Changing Rooms Bedrooms And Kitchens will be employing well over 100 new full-time staff, which really is brilliant news for the areas involved and there is such a variety of jobs going.''

The company is seeking call centre managers, call centre staff, door canvassing teams and in-store demonstrators.

Marion said: ``Our installations department will need surveyors and kitchen and bedroom fitters.

``In sales, we will require both experienced and inexperienced sales designers. Full training is given and we have fantastic remuneration packages available.''

To find out more, call the recruitment hotline on 0800 185 186.

CAPTION(S):

ROOM FOR EXPANSION:; Simon Chilton, DM Design's group development officer, pictured second left with senior staff members, is leading the company's development