A family business which has retained customers for 18 years since it began is celebrating this special anniversary.

Bain Plumbing Services, based at Boundary Industrial Estate off Bury Road in Bolton, started life in 2006 as a limited company.

It was set up by husband and wife Colin and Selena Bain who had met while both working as lifeguards at Turton Leisure Centre while at university.

Colin was taking a criminology degree but, when he qualified, he opted instead to be a plumber.

Selena was studying for a business degree so, after Colin gained his plumbing qualifications, she was able to offer practical help setting up the business.

Colin was a sole trader for two years before the couple decided to launch their own limited company.

They took on an apprentice, later adding a full-time plumber, then a heating engineer and today have eight staff and are still hiring.

Then as now, the company offers a full range of plumbing and heating services.

In 2024, this includes, bathrooms, boiler installations, repairs and services, landlord gas safety certificates and commercial work with local nurseries, leisure centres, schools, landlords and letting agencies.

Right from the start, the company’s ethos was about keeping customers happy. “If there is a problem, then we always go back immediately and sort it out,” explained Selena.

“If you don’t go back, you risk the situation just getting worse. We will go back 20 times if we have to.”

That thinking has paid off over the years with the company retaining several original clients. They also work regularly for Bolton at Home on disability adaptations.

The company has retained members of staff over time, including one who has been with them for 16 years.

While the basic work has not altered hugely over the past 18 years, they have noticed more recently the increased popularity of walk-in showers and wet rooms.

“A lot of people are planning for their older age and adapting bathrooms to suit their increasing needs,” added Selena.

The couple, who have two teenage children, live in Egerton and are firmly rooted in the Bolton community. They have supported a variety of charities and other organisations over the years and currently sponsor a young woman in motor sport.

They see the fact that theirs is a family business as one of its great strengths.

Stated Selena: “We’re here to stay. We know our customers and they trust us.”