When Arthur and Lynda Hyde set up Brighton Tools at the height of the recession nine years ago, they had to sell their home to get the capital together.

Their gamble paid off and the company has outgrown two of its premises and has just moved into much roomier sales premises and offices in Brighton.

The first location was a small shop in Trafalgar Street, which the business outgrew in less than a year. They then moved into premises twice the size in Carden Hill, Hollingbury.

Mrs Hyde said: "When we moved we were amazed at the amount of space we had. None of it went to waste and we were able to move into the flat over the shop.

"We've since moved back to Rottingdean to a house quite close to the one we had to sell when we opened the business.

"But as time went on, the business grew until lack of space became a problem again and we had to start looking elsewhere. Looking back to how cramped we were, it amazes me that we managed to run a successful business. Before we could start every day, we had to move all the heavy equipment on to the forecourt or we couldn't move in the shop.

"And, as we wanted to offer as complete a range of tools and equipment as possible, space was at a premium."

A two-year search for a new site led them to a former bakery on the Centenary Industrial Estate in Hollingdean Road and last month they moved in.

Mrs Hyde said: "The new premises are much better suited to a business like this. More than double the size and with parking for our customers. It's wonderful to walk around without having to step over things.

"The move, thanks to the hard work of the staff, went smoothly and without any disruption to our customers, many whom have become good friends over the years.

"It's always been our aim to offer top service as well as top products. After all, if you want people to come back you have to give them a reason."

All new staff joining the company are told the company's philosophy is "the customer is king". Members of the sales force regularly visit customers across Sussex offering help and technical advice.

Now with a staff of 11, compared to just Mr and Mrs Hyde at the start, business has already seen an immediate improvement since the move.