Flint, Wales, (UK) - Spotting a gap in the U.K. retail trade for packaged goods, Prestigious Textiles of Bradford, West Yorkshire, has set up a wholly owned subsidiary to supply ready-made curtains.

Based in Flint, North Wales, Prestigious Ready-Mades will offer a focused range featuring prints, jacquards and voiles, according to managing director Graham Rhodes.

Rhodes, previously sales director of Moygashel (Dungannon, Northern Ireland), said Prestigious Textiles had been considering the ready-mades market for the past three years but could not devote enough management time to the project. ''We will be able to bring more designs to the market than Prestigious could handle,'' he said.

The company will use the Prestigious branding at point of sale. ''This is a name that retailers can relate to,'' said Rhodes. ''It is also a fantastic opportunity to work with Trevor Helliwell [Prestigious Textiles' MD], who is one of the most entrepreneurial individuals in the trade.''

Initially, the ready-made designs will be under license, but the company plans to bring out its own ranges. The first deliveries will be made in July and Prestigious Ready-Mades is looking at a potential turnover of nearly $10.5 million, Rhodes added.

After curtains, the next step will be bedding and perhaps kitchen textiles, he said.