Regional home improvements firm Anglia First, which was launched seven years ago, is on target to break through the £20million turnover barrier this year.

The company, which has offices in Norwich, Diss, Bury St Edmmunds and King’s Lynn, has grown its workforce from fewer than 20 in 2008 to around 300 today and is now planning to expand into the Midlands, initially from a base in the Huntingdon area.

Annual turnover last year topped £17m and directors Mark Falgate and Andy Springall, who have previous experience in the sector with Anglian Windows and Zenith, expect to achieve the £20m mark “very soon”.

Mr Falgate said: “As the economy shows signs of picking up, we feel we’re well placed to benefit from the more positive sentiment that seems to be around.

“But we’ve also managed to show strong growth over the past seven years despite the downturn, because when people don’t move, they improve their homes. As such, we’re confident we can continue to grow further, regardless of the general economic outlook.”

Mr Springall said keeping abreast of consumer tastes had been key to maintaining strong growth in what is a competitive industry.

“There has been more and more attention paid to energy-efficiency in the years since we started the business, and there’s no doubt the fact we install thermally-efficient products as standard has helped our growth,” he added. “Consumers no longer see it as an added extra – it’s a basic requirement.”