Leeds-based bathroom retailer Sanctuary Bathrooms is expanding its operations after a record year for online revenue, leasing a new 16,353 sq. ft. warehouse in Holbeck and adding five new hires across marketing and warehouse operations.

The retailer, founded in 1981 by plumber Des Roberts and now run jointly by his sons James and Richard Roberts, has remained a family-run business in the city for more than four decades. It secured the lease on the additional Holbeck unit in August 2026, taking its total warehouse footprint to more than 28,000 sq. ft.

The investment in the new warehouse follows a strong year for the business, with online revenue and transactions both recording double-digit growth between 2024 and 2025, and 2025 marking a record year for online revenue.

The new site adds to Sanctuary Bathrooms’ existing 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse operation, which is located just metres from its showroom and offices in Armley, close to Leeds city centre and major motorway links. The additional capacity will allow the retailer to hold more stock on site, reduce its reliance on external storage during busy trading periods, shorten customer lead times, and fulfil orders more efficiently.

It will also provide greater flexibility for Sanctuary Bathrooms to broaden and diversify its product range at a time when economic pressures are prompting many manufacturers to streamline their ranges and hold less stock. The retailer has continued to expand its product offering across different styles and price points, adding established brands TOTO in 2025 and Laufen and Imex in 2026, while the new warehouse will support new supplier relationships and accelerate plans to grow its own-brand range with UK and overseas partners.

The investment in operational capacity is matched by growth in the team, with five new hires across marketing and warehouse operations in 2026, increasing overall headcount by 20%, from 24 to 29. Among the appointments are Rebecca Parvin-Graham as Digital PR Manager and Halle Audsley as Social Media Manager, marking the first time Sanctuary Bathrooms has brought dedicated PR and social media roles in house.

Leeds-born Rebecca joins with agency and in-house media relations experience, most recently leading PR and communications for global SaaS company TestGorilla, while Halle brings experience across social media, marketing, and commercial roles, most recently as Marketing Executive at Buy It Direct Group.

Commenting on the new warehouse lease, Director James Roberts says: “This is a significant milestone for Sanctuary Bathrooms and an important investment in our future growth here in Leeds. Customers expect fast, reliable fulfilment, so having more space to hold stock and manage orders efficiently gives us greater control, more resilience, and the capacity to keep growing.”

On the company’s continued online success and team growth, Digital Marketing Manager Mark Fullilove, says: “Since bringing marketing in house in 2020, we have seen strong and sustained growth in our online business, supported by a great team across every stage of the customer journey. Adding new expertise, including dedicated PR and social media roles, gives us a strong platform to build on that momentum, grow our profile in Leeds, and introduce Sanctuary Bathrooms to more customers across the UK.”