A TRIO of business partners from Warrington have won the inaugural episode of a new BBC daytime TV show, ‘The Customer is Always Right’.

Andrew Hibbert, Helen Davies and Louise Rodgers met at Priestley College more than 20 years ago and launched their company EasyPets last year.

As reported previously in the Warrington Guardian, they then decided to put their first product forward for the BBC show, which is hosted by former ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ presenter Lucy Alexander, for the ultimate customer test.

And it was this product – a portable dog feeding mat called RollaBowl – which impressed customers enough to see them crowned winners.

“To be on a national TV programme is amazing in itself, but to win is even better,” said Woolston native Andrew.

“Britain is a nation of pet lovers and we are delighted to have introduced thousands of viewers to our product, which makes walking and travelling with pets so much easier.

“We received amazing comments from customers who tested and scored RollaBowl, putting us in a great position to progress our ongoing conversations with major retailers and local independent stockists.”

Andrew held a party for family and friends on Easter Monday, where they watched his product take on competitors including a bed extender and a lotion applicator.

Filming for the show took place in his Fearnhead family home, where Andrew was joined by his wife Rachel and their children, Helen and her two daughters, and the two families’ five dogs.

“We’ve got a Labrador and a German Pointer, and Helen brought her three dogs along too,” explained Andrew.

Warrington Guardian:

“It’s fair to say we had a house full when the camera crew turned up to film our back story.

“We also found it really exciting being on set in the BBC’s Glasgow studio, but bringing the winner’s trophy home to Warrington was the best feeling of all.”

As the show aired, Helen and Louise were on a plane to China, where they are currently developing new products to add to the EasyPets range.

“We’re gutted to have missed the show, but I know it’s been a huge success as my phone has been going crazy with texts, tweets and order confirmations ever since it aired,” said former St Gregory’s High School pupil Helen.

“We are proud to be the first company to market the roll-up dog feeding mat in the UK; it’s a simple idea that works, so I’m not surprised it’s caused a stir.

“With RollaBowl, we wanted to keep our own dogs fed and watered at home and on the go, and now we’re on a mission to help other pet owners do the same.”

If you missed the show, which aired on BBC One on Easter Monday, you can still catch it on the BBC iPlayer.