A GALASHIELS knitwear company has broken through the £1million turnover mark ahead of expanding to Melrose.

ERIBÉ knitwear has just enjoyed its best trading year ever with sales up 45 per cent compared to 2017/18.

Rosemary Eribé, the CEO and founder of the eco-friendly firm, is delighted with the success as she has watched it grow over three decades.

And ERIBÉ continues to expand, with new premises in Melrose and additional showroom coming soon.

Rosemary said: “My dream is coming true.

"It’s very exciting having a young and enthusiastic team led by 33 years of experience.

“By expanding slowly it’s given us very strong roots. I’ve always seen it like building a house – starting from the bottom and working up.

"And we haven’t even started the garden yet!”

World-renowned champions of natural yarns and colours, ERIBÉ pride themselves on producing environmentally friendly mill garments and hand-knit pieces.

The company's sales manager Shona Forrester said: “We’ve got a product that really excites people, that they want to cherish.

"Buying less, but buying better quality is what counts.”

Under their slogan The Joy of Knitwear, ERIBÉ is reaching global success in new markets such as Australia and Taiwan, with their current boom in tourism.

ERIBÉ’s new autumn/winter 2019/2020 catalogue has also ensured its success across the UK, Europe and Japan.

Around 20 countries stock ERIBÉ’s iconic Scottish designs, with more than 20,000 garments sold every year.

Scottish Enterprise is supporting the company’s further expansion.

Director, Business Support & Advice Mark McMullen said: “ERIBÉ Knitwear is a great example of a successful company with fantastic potential to keep growing and growing.

“We’re pleased to be working with the company on its future growth plans and congratulate the team on reaching the impressive milestone of £1million turnover."

A current decline in the Scottish textiles industry, mixed with some Brexit uncertainty has been blamed for poor retail sales on high streets.

Despite this, local shops are thriving, with firms such as ERIBÉ dedicated to supporting independent boutiques.

Rosemary continued: “There is so much doom and gloom on the high street, but our retailers are selling out of ERIBÉ and coming back for repeat orders throughout the year.

“Our customers are looking to buy something different and new.”

Working closely with spinners from Yorkshire and Scotland, ERIBÉ prides itself in working with suppliers from the UK.

Investment in Scotland includes new machines for in-house production and plans to expand the workforce.

In light of their best trading year to date, a new showroom is planned within the Georgian house in the centre of Melrose where the firm is now based.

Rosemary added: “I love to meet our retailers, making sure our customers feel part of us. We design with them in mind.

“We listen to the people who wear our clothes.”