For a relatively new business, Artis Bathrooms has wasted little time in making its presence felt. Operating across the Cotswolds and beyond, the bathroom specialist has quickly built a reputation since opening its showroom in November 2024.

That momentum was underlined earlier this year when the company picked up the New Bathroom Retailer category at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 – a notable achievement for a business still in its infancy.

Artis Bathrooms is the result of a long-standing working relationship between its director Tim Haddock and showroom manager Lizzie Mason. The two have combined design expertise with practical, on-site experience. It’s a partnership that underpins the company’s proposition today.

“We offer a full design, supply and installation service, supported by our own in-house installation team – something that’s quite rare in our area,” says Mason. “Installation is typically subcontracted, but having everything under one roof is a key differentiator for us, giving retail customers a single point of contact throughout the entire process.”

That single point of contact is central to the business’s appeal, particularly in a catchment area that includes affluent, time-poor homeowners and second-home buyers across the Cotswolds. The model is equally effective on the trade side. With a background in plumbing and heating, Haddock brings a detailed understanding of installation challenges, which has shaped how the business supports onsite operations.

“We really pride ourselves on supporting the plumbers with tech packs and information, making sure everything’s labeled up when it arrives on site,” explains Mason. “It sounds really simple, but not a lot of people do it.”

Despite being in its early stages, Artis Bathrooms has enjoyed a strong first year, driven in part by existing industry connections and a well-positioned showroom that attracts walk-in traffic.

“We’ve had a really good, strong first year. So it’s looking really positive,” says Mason. “We’ve had a good year without massively focusing on marketing, but going into this next year, we have a full marketing strategy that’s been fine tuned.” It’s a natural next step for a business that has so far grown largely through reputation and relationships.

At the same time, operational capacity is being strengthened, with additional showroom support already in place and a healthy order book underpinning confidence for the year ahead.

The showroom

The physical showroom plays a key role in translating that service-led approach into a tangible customer experience. While space may be limited, the team has taken a highly considered approach to layout and presentation.

“We’ve tried to utilise the space really well,” Mason says. “So we’ve managed to get ten displays into a relatively compact space and try to cover all sorts of styles.” That breadth is intentional, with displays spanning classic, contemporary, modern Italian and traditional aesthetics. But rather than overwhelming customers with endless choice, the emphasis is on clarity and inspiration.

Crucially, the space has been designed to feel more like a studio than a traditional retail environment. “We tried to make it feel like a bit more of a design studio versus a classic showroom. So it’s always going to be a collaborative process with a client,” explains Mason.

A key feature is the sample library – curated mood boards showcasing on-trend colours and finishes, refreshed regularly to keep the offer current. “It’s just creating an inspiring space without being overwhelming,” Mason adds.

Expansion underway

Perhaps the clearest signal of that confidence is the decision to expand into the neighbouring unit – a move that will effectively double the showroom footprint. “It was a lot sooner than we were anticipating,” Mason explains. “But had we not taken that opportunity, then it could be that someone else had a five year lease there, so we had to act fast.”

The additional space will allow for around five new displays, but more importantly, it opens the door to new categories – most notably wellness. “There will be a wellness suite at the front, which will have a sauna cabin,” Mason reveals

The rise of wellness in the bathroom is something the team has already seen first-hand. “I think it’s just booming,” Mason says. “Having been through Covid, it really shifted how people view their homes, and bringing the things people go out for into their homes is way more accessible now.”

By showcasing these products in real-life settings, the showroom aims to demystify the category. “Being able to see them in real room situations, makes people actually recognise that it’s not intrusive. That’s actually really simple to fit in,” says Mason.

Alongside the new displays, the expanded showroom will also play host to events, with plans for regular networking sessions aimed at architects, designers and contractors.

Like many independent retailers, one of the biggest challenges for Artis Bathrooms has been time – or more specifically, the lack of it. “The biggest headache has been a lack of time,” Mason admits. “There’s so many things that would help with our efficiency, but having the time to physically implement that is a different conversation.”

The story reflects a positive reality: demand is there, and the foundations are solid. With a clear proposition, a carefully curated showroom and expansion already in motion, Artis Bathrooms is a retailer that looks set to build on its early success.