Bathroom suppliers are “recovering well after lockdown”, according to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA).

Following unprecedented falls in sales during March and April, suppliers have seen a gradual increase in demand as restrictions have eased.

The BMA reports members’ consolidated sales are close to “ordinary” levels, with some companies posting a record month in July.

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It reflects optimism in the market, as a BMA/Opinium poll revealed nearly a third of UK adults are likely to undertake a bathroom refurbishment in the next 12 months.

Chief executive of the BMA Tom Reynolds commented: “When sales levels plummeted at the start of lockdown it looked like 2020 was going to be a catastrophic year for the sector, so it is great to see such a strong bounce back.

“BMA’s member companies have provided incredibly resilient and are well placed to make the most of the current optimism.”

Managing director of Roman Showers and the BMA’s marketing committee chairman David Osborne was also positive: “At Roman, we continued to work throughout the lockdown and were among the first factories to start back.

“We have had very strong demand for our products as the COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

“We were confident that homeowners might invest some of the cash saved, by not going out or on holiday, in their homes.

“That seems to be coming true and, when planning improvements, they’re choosing brands that embody quality.”

However, Reynolds also warned about downside risks for the industry, commenting: “This should in now way dampen current optimism, but there are a number of risks we still need to keep in mind.

“Local lockdowns, second spikes, and a messy end to the Brexit transition period could all scupper our recovery.

“So, in short, the industry still needs the support of Government to secure a solid recovery.”