RAPIDLY expanding York fashion retailer Sarah Coggles is recruiting more people than it first planned.

Ever since the Low Petergate store began a multi-million pound restructuring investment with the help of Barclays Business, the small business arm of the global financial services provider, its turnover has increased by as much as 90 per cent.

And where Mark Bage, managing director, was predicting expanding staff by 40 in two years, he has now taken on 20 in only six months and predicts the recruitment of another 25 in the next 18 months.

Mr Bage is the son of founder Victoria Bage, whose market stall in York flourished into the store in 1976, since when it has gained an international reputation with the help of its website, Coggles.com.

The revamp of the business followed the sale last year of a minority stake to Manchester Square Enterprises, the venture investment arm of Pentland Group.

That funding, with the help of Barclays Business, was to intensify Coggles’ international presence, increase its buying budget for young and emerging designers as well as established brands and to enable it to expand with larger warehousing facilities in York and a new London office for its buying, PR and marketing teams.

It also allowed Coggles to invest in a new management team and expand its reputation for excellence with numerous industry-recognised awards for both brick and mortar and online businesses.

Mr Bage said: “It’s great that Barclays have been able to support us in a period when retailers have been hit hard.

“We’ve been able to restructure the company, introduce new capital and build on our internet business. Barclays Business has become an integral partner for our future strategic growth plans.”

Since inception, the company has undergone structural changes needed to expand, but throughout these changes had “never lost sight of its pioneering approach and heritage as a family-run business”.

Coggles’ products include the work of contemporary designers to up-and-coming new design talent, from vintage books to bespoke bikes.

David Hunt, Barclays business manager, said: “We are delighted to support Coggles at Barclays Business and provide the financial support they require.

“Trading in the current environment hasn’t been easy for retailers and by providing additional funding and support together with specialist advice we’ve been able to partner with Coggles to assist them with the restructure and support them with their future growth plans.”