Welcome to BC SoftWear
Where the pursuit of the exceptional is a daily endeavour
We know that luxury isn't merely a label; it's an experience. Born out of a desire to offer more than just textiles, BC SoftWear has become synonymous with a lifestyle that celebrates the finer things, be it for relaxation, rejuvenation, or everyday indulgence.
We have meticulously crafted our product range to meet the high expectations of those who settle for nothing less than the best. Whether you're stepping out of a shower, lying down for a spa treatment, or wrapped up in our bathrobe, you're enveloped in a world of tactile richness and ethical depth.
We're on a mission to spearhead a revolution in sustainable luxury by curating an unparalleled collection of eco-friendly towels, robes, spa linens, slippers, and other responsibly sourced products. Our aim is to transition to an entirely sustainable range, designed to offer indulgence and comfort without compromising on environmental integrity. We are dedicated to elevating the experience of the world's finest establishments and discerning individuals alike, all while nurturing the planet we all call home.
A Family-Owned Business Since 2002
Founded by Barbara Cooke and co-managed with her son Sam, BC SoftWear has been a family-owned enterprise since its inception in 2002.
Rooted in a deep passion for textiles and quality craftsmanship, we've grown to become the leading supplier of luxury textiles for hotels and spas.
Our family-oriented approach ensures that we provide not just exceptional products, but also a level of personal service and attention to detail that sets us apart.
We're delighted not only with their quality but also with their superb customer service.
Mathew, Spa Director, Rudding Park
We have been delighted with the choice of quality products for our new spa and the knowledge that the staff have to assist in the everyday issues that a busy Spa can encounter when washing in house. We particularly chose the Supreme robe for its luxurious feel, multiple sizes and very quick drying time.
Sadie Levack, Spa Director, Ye Olde Bell
The quality that we have experienced with the spa towels, robes and flip flops from BC SoftWear has been exceptional. They have enhanced our new spa
Gillian Mc Graffin, Spa Manager, Swinton Estate Spa
Our Values
The Threads That Bind Us
Our History
The Beginning of BC SoftWear
Origins of a Textile Revolution
Founded in 2002 by CEO Barbara Cooke, BC SoftWear was born from Barbara's transition from a tech sector career to harnessing the superior quality of Turkish towelling. Starting from her home, the brand name reflects her IT background and personal initials.
Barbara aimed to provide high-quality textiles to enhance the luxury experience in hotels and spas. Securing early contracts with prestigious hotels like the Cliveden Hotel and The Savoy, BC SoftWear quickly became a preferred supplier.
Her direct collaboration with hotel staff and Turkish textile engineers led to the development of the Sumptuous towel, a market-leading product. Barbara's innovative spirit and commitment to quality have established BC SoftWear as a symbol of luxury and excellence in the textile industry.
Expansion and Consolidation
BC SoftWear's Milestone Move
After five years of building up the business, Barbara had established a loyal customer base among some of the most illustrious hotels in the UK, as well as the largest commercial laundries servicing hotels.
Larger premises were needed to keep up with demand, so BC SoftWear moved to its first “proper” home – an office and 5,000 sq ft warehouse.
A Milestone in Team Growth
Envisioning the Future
Barbara identified new opportunities to cater to the spa and beauty salon sector with high-quality towelling. Understanding the unique challenges these businesses faced, she sought innovative solutions. This led to the creation of the Serenity waffle towel range, specifically designed to absorb less oil for easier cleaning and extended durability. Additionally, the introduction of the “jumbo” sheet, an industry first, was significant for being large enough to cover any treatment couch and featuring an integrated head hole.
As BC SoftWear's operations expanded, Barbara welcomed her first full-time employee, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth. This addition underscored the company's commitment to excellence and reliability, ensuring that stock levels were meticulously managed to meet the growing demand.
TowelSoft Launch and Expansion into Slippers
Broadening Horizons with E-commerce
To make the BC SoftWear products available to a wider market, in 2009 we launched our first ecommerce website under the “TowelSoft” brand.
We also further expanded our product range, starting to offer hotel and spa slippers. Within a decade we were selling up to 4 million pairs every year.
Enhancing Safety in Our Slippers
Non-Slip Innovations Earn Prestigious Accreditation
In response to heightened health and safety considerations, BC SoftWear took decisive action to improve the safety attributes of our slippers. Acknowledging the critical need to prevent slips and accidents, we adapted our spa slippers to feature non-slip soles. This significant enhancement not only raised the safety profile of our offerings but also led to prestigious recognition from the British Leather Technology Centre. Today, we take pride in ensuring all our spa slippers come equipped with non-slip soles, marrying luxury with essential safety for our customers.
A New Era for BC SoftWear
From Ground-Level Operations to Strategic Leadership
As BC SoftWear's operations and team grew, a particularly joyful moment for Barbara was the opportunity to welcome her son, Sam, into the fold. Starting his journey in customer services, Sam was hands-on from the beginning, from unloading containers to picking and packing orders. Through dedication and hard work, he ascended within the company, now standing as a pivotal figure within our leadership team, embodying our core values and driving our vision forward.
A New Chapter in Growth and Efficiency
Securing Our Future with a State-of-the-Art Facility
As BC SoftWear continued to flourish, both in terms of our business scale and team size, the decision to transition to a new location became inevitable. This move wasn't just about finding more room; it was a strategic step towards future-proofing our operations. We ambitiously expanded our operational footprint by relocating to a facility that boasts a 10,000 sq ft space, effectively doubling our storage capabilities and providing us with state-of-the-art offices. This significant upgrade marks a pivotal chapter in our journey, setting the stage for enhanced efficiency, greater inventory capacity, and the continued delivery of exceptional service to our clients.
Pioneering Sustainability and Durability
Our Commitment to Innovation through R&D
Aware that innovation is key to keeping our customers happy, we worked closely with our main factory’s research and development centre, which opened in 2014. As well as exploring ways to make our products more durable, the centre is pivotal in developing environmentally-friendly production techniques, as well as more sustainable products.
A Leap Towards Sustainable Luxury
Championing Eco-Friendly Production
Embracing eco-friendly initiatives has always been at the heart of BC SoftWear's philosophy. In our continuous quest for sustainability, 2017 marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the SupremeSoft bathrobe. This innovative product, a harmonious blend of cotton and polyester, is not just a testament to our commitment to luxury and comfort but also to our dedication to environmental stewardship. The SupremeSoft bathrobe is designed to require 70% less energy to wash and dry, representing a substantial leap forward in reducing our carbon footprint. The immediate impact of this initiative was profound, with an impressive 35,000 SupremeSoft robes sold in its debut year, underscoring the market's appreciation for sustainable luxury.
Elevating Our Operational Excellence
Stepping Into a Spacious Future
2019 marked a significant phase of growth and expansion for BC SoftWear, as we embraced a strategic relocation to accommodate our escalating needs. Moving into our current premises, a sprawling 20,000 sq ft warehouse and office space in Maidenhead, was not just a decision for growth but a testament to our aspirations and commitment to excellence. This substantial upgrade in our operational capacity has enabled us to streamline our processes, enhance our product range, and improve service delivery, ensuring we continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our luxury-seeking clientele with efficiency and elegance.
Advancing Sustainability and Innovation
Introducing the SmartKnit Range
Building on the remarkable success of our SupremeSoft bathrobes, in 2020 BC SoftWear took a further step towards sustainability and innovation. We proudly introduced the SupremeSoft treatment linen range alongside the SmartKnit range, embodying our commitment to eco-friendly practices. These snag-free towels are not only a testament to our dedication to quality and durability but also to our environmental consciousness. By ensuring these towels require less energy throughout the laundry cycle, we offer our clients a cost-effective solution that simultaneously reduces carbon footprints. This initiative underscores our ongoing efforts to blend luxury with sustainability, setting new standards in the textile industry for environmental responsibility.
The BC SoftWear Brand Evolution
Streamlining Our Identity
In a strategic move to streamline our brand and reinforce our commitment to uniform excellence, we decided to merge the TowelSoft brand into the main BC SoftWear brand. This decision underscores our dedication to ensuring that our customers experience the same high-quality products and impeccable service, regardless of whether they purchase online or in person. By consolidating our brands, we've simplified our message and strengthened our promise of delivering unparalleled quality and service across all touchpoints. This merger not only reflects our cohesive brand identity but also aligns with our mission to provide consistent, top-tier luxury textile solutions to our esteemed clientele.
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence
BC SoftWear Marks Its 20th Anniversary
In 2022, BC SoftWear proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of excellence in luxury textiles. From our beginnings to becoming a leading supplier for luxury hotels and spas in the UK, our journey has been defined by innovation, quality, and sustainability.
This milestone reflects our dedication and passion, and we are grateful to our loyal clients and partners for their support. As we look to the future, BC SoftWear remains committed to delivering products that embody our core values, continuing to set benchmarks in the textile industry. Here’s to the next twenty years of excellence.
New Colours, Sizes, and Facilities
Innovating Style and Growing Globally
In 2023, BC SoftWear continued to innovate and expand our offerings to meet the diverse needs of our clientele. We introduced a new colour, Sage Green, in our SupremeSoft bathrobe and linen range, as well as in our Comfy towel range. This colour has quickly become a favourite for our clients.
To promote inclusivity in the hospitality industry, we expanded our size range, offering more plus sizes up to 4XL in various products. Additionally, we launched the Pure Linen Deluxe range for spas looking to elevate their customer experience with superior quality.
We also introduced the thicker and even more luxurious SupremeSoft 400gsm bathrobe and spa treatment linen, setting new standards for comfort and quality.
Recognising significant growth in the region, we opened a warehouse fulfilment and embroidery facility in the Republic of Ireland. This expansion ensures faster delivery and personalised service for our Irish customers.
Strengthening Our European Presence
BC SoftWear Opens New Distribution Hub in the Netherlands
In 2024, BC SoftWear expanded its European operations with the opening of a new distribution hub in the Netherlands. This strategic addition enhances our ability to provide seamless service to our European customers, ensuring faster deliveries and eliminating customs hurdles post-Brexit.
The Netherlands hub positions us to better serve the EU market with quick and efficient distribution. By shipping products directly from our factory in Turkey to the Netherlands, we are also reducing our carbon footprint. This year, we successfully fulfilled our first order through the hub to One&Only Kéa Island in Greece, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to excellence and sustainability in service.
Meet Our Team
Joanne Fidgeon-Keeler
Customer Service
Kate Bodsworth
Customer Service
Sophie Thompson
Customer Operations Manager
Matthew Openshaw
Customer Service
Anne Chisholm
Sales and Purchasing Coordinator
Barbara Cooke
CEO
Sam Cooke
Director
Rupert Sellers
Business Development Manager
Teresa Dalton
Business Development Manager
Melanie Sanderson
Business Development Manager
Tessa Archer‑Nye
Business Development Manager
NETHERLANDS
Please contact
Henry Steenis
steenis@me.com
+31 (0)111 417 516
Or visit
www.spatreatments.nl/bc-softwear
FRANCE
Please contact
Vita Douce
c.fejoz@vitadouce.fr
+33 (0)6 26 57 01 66
IRELAND
Please contact
Teresa Dalton
teresa@bcsoftwear.ie
+353 (0) 879 224 966
REST OF THE WORLD
Please contact
Sam Cooke
enquiries@bcsoftwear.co.uk
+44 (0)1628 642 940
Joanne Fidgeon-Keeler
Customer Service
Joanne joined our embroidery department in 2012 before moving into customer services in 2014. With her vast product knowledge, Joanne is an extremely valuable part of our customer support team. What she doesn’t know about our towelling isn’t worth knowing!
Outside of work Joanne enjoys reading, gardening, walking, skiing, and attending live music and sports events. She’s recently renewed an old hobby of swimming…but this time in open water in the Thames and lakes. We hope she remembers to take her BC SoftWear bathrobe to snuggle into afterwards!
Kate Bodsworth
Customer Service
Kate joined our customer service team in 2021, at the height of the covid pandemic. She has worked admirably hard to get to know our business and customers, despite all the disruptions we’ve faced. Kate has become an essential part of our customer service team.
Kate’s hobbies include crochet and knitting, and she enjoys organising weekly game nights for her friends. Always keen to keep active, Kate regularly walks to and from work, whatever the weather, in the company of her favourite podcasts.
Sophie Thompson
Customer Operations Manager
Sophie joined our embroidery department in 2015. Just 12 months later she became our Employee of the Year! Sophie was promoted to Embroidery Supervisor before, in 2020, changing her career path and becoming our Customer Operations Manager. Her expertise and experience of working with our products ensures she can support every customer enquiry.
Sophie’s passion for textiles doesn’t stop when she leaves the office, she loves to crochet and sew as a hobby too. Her other interests include walking, reading and visiting museums.
Matthew Openshaw
Customer Service
Matthew joined BC SoftWear as a Customer Service Representative, bringing a diverse background in events, marketing, and retail management. During his university years, he worked as an Events and Marketing Assistant for a catering/events company in partnership with Pinewood Studios. Following this, he spent four years at Pets at Home, rising from a colleague to Assistant Manager across three stores.
Matthew is a huge animal enthusiast and has two cats of his own. In his spare time, he enjoys socialising with friends through PC gaming and sports, particularly football and tennis. He also has a passion for collecting trading cards.
Anne Chisholm
Sales and Purchasing Coordinator
Anne joined the BC Softwear team in 2022, stepping into the vital role of Sales and Purchasing Co-Ordinator. With her exceptional organisational skills and keen understanding of client needs, she has quickly become an integral part of our operations. Anne ensures our inventory is always primed to meet our customers’ demands, contributing significantly to our swift and efficient order fulfilment process.
When not orchestrating our sales and purchasing strategies, Anne enjoys her time as an avid swimmer, often found making laps at her local pool. She cherishes her weekends spent with her two young children, exploring nature and engaging in creative activities. Anne’s commitment to her family and her passion for the outdoors are paralleled only by her dedication to our clients, making her a valued member of the BC Softwear team.
Barbara Cooke
CEO
Barbara founded BC SoftWear in 2002, with an ambition to supply the best quality towelling to the luxury hotel and spa markets. Read more about Barbara’s story.
A natural ambassador for our brand, Barbara takes great pleasure in meeting with our clients and ensuring our work is always focused on their needs.
Barbara spends time in Turkey, where she has a villa, often combining holidays with site visits to our Turkish production facility. She’s a dog lover and owner of Max, our “Head of Barketing”. As well as enjoying dog walks with Max, Barbara is keen on playing tennis and keeping fit.
Sam Cooke
Director
Sam joined the company in 2011, gaining experience in a variety of departments including customer service and our warehouse. His detailed understanding of our business helps him to find the best solution for each client.
As an integral part of our sales and management teams, Sam has developed long term partnerships with some of the most prestigious hotels and spas in the country.
In his spare time, Sam enjoys playing golf, walking his dog with his partner and socialising with friends. He has also been known to be a great singer if there is a band playing.
Rupert Sellers
Business Development Manager
Rupert joined the growing sales team in 2023 from a successful career in the luxury hotel market. He will be focusing on generating new business in London.
After beginning his career in operations at The Berkeley, Claridge’s and The Savoy, Rupert moved into sales and marketing for leading international brands including Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons.
In his spare time, Rupert enjoys spending time with his family and walking his dog. To stay active, he likes to regularly go cycling and kayaking!
Teresa Dalton
Business Development Manager
Teresa Dalton joined BC SoftWear in 2023 as Ireland Country Manager. She has worked in the beauty and sales industry for more than 10 years.
Teresa has experience working in luxury sales for brands including for L’Oreal, Shiseido and Voya. In her new role, Teresa will build on BC SoftWear’s strong Irish business connections and expand the brand’s footprint across Ireland.
In her spare time, Teresa enjoys spinning, swimming and catching up with family and friends. She is also a keen reader and loves fashion and skincare!
Melanie Sanderson
Business Development Manager
Mel joined BC SoftWear with over 15 years of experience in the spa industry. Her career began as a beauty therapist before she advanced to become a Spa Manager, working on both cruise ships and within the luxury hotel sector.
More recently, Mel worked as an Account Manager and provided operational support for the luxury spa brand ESPA. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her practical work in spas and her expertise in enhancing the guest journey through luxury touchpoints and products, aiming to elevate the guest experience.
In her spare time, Mel is passionate about staying active at the gym and spending quality time with her friends and family!
Tessa Archer‑Nye
Business Development Manager
Tessa joined the expanding team in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience from extensive travels around the world. She will be focusing on looking after the South of England.
Having explored numerous countries and cultures, Tessa is passionate about discovering new places and meeting diverse people. Her adventurous spirit is complemented by a deep love for animals, which includes both owning pets and participating in numerous rescue operations.
In her spare time, Tessa enjoys spending quality moments with her pets and volunteering in animal rescues. To stay active, she loves exploring the outdoors and discovering hidden gems in the countryside.
Behind the Scenes
Our “front of house” teams are backed up by the expertise and dedication of our other departments.
These include:
- Adriána and Chloe in our embroidery department
- Mark, Jerome, Sean, Billy and Firat in our warehouse and despatch teams
- Aftab, our Head of Operations and Finance, with Veronica as our Finance Assistant
- Max, our Head of Barketing and Farrah, our Marketing Manager
Experience Us At
Four Seasons
The Ritz Carlton
Raffles OWO
Fairmont
Exceptional Quality
Our Commitment to Uncompromising Quality
At BC SoftWear, we believe that you deserve nothing less than the best. This belief is the foundation of everything we do. Our commitment to unparalleled quality is evident in every detail of our products.
We are dedicated to creating gorgeous towelling which feels wonderful against your skin. By constantly evolving our weaves and production techniques, we ensure that our towels and bathrobes give you the true touch of luxury.
We exclusively use genuine Turkish towelling, renowned for its luxurious texture and longevity, and source only the finest embroidery thread. This meticulous attention to quality ensures that every item you receive from us meets the highest standards of excellence.
We have been working closely with BC SoftWear for 10 years now and have found their service and products to be of an extremely high standard. We receive good support with managing purchasing timelines and 'calling off' of stock as required which helps us manage our budgets and stock holdings. Barbara, Sam and the team are always at the end of the telephone and will try to find solutions for problems or recommendations when they can. We continue to prosper using their products and will continue to work closely with BC SoftWear.
Mike Coppin, Group Spa Operations Manager, Historic Sussex Hotel
Setting New Standards
Excellence in Every Thread
From the very outset we have strived to set new standards for our industry. Our first towels were developed to stay whiter, feel softer and last longer than any others on the market. From our revolutionary dyeing formula to our shrink- resistant header bars, we have worked tirelessly to create towelling products of excellence.
And our innovation continues. Much of our focus today is on developing the most environmentally-friendly towels on the market. With its significant energy and water savings, our SmartSoft range is a huge leap forward, and we continue to pursue even greater savings.
Always listening to the changing needs of our clients, we continue to innovate products which provide practical solutions to their everyday problems.
Quality First At Every Stage
From Concept to Completion
We are rigorous in our quality control, to ensure that you only receive the most exceptional products
Each step in our production process is hand finished and reviewed by eye. We use digital analysis to ensure every item is woven without fault. Before anything leaves our factory it has a final quality control check by independent inspectors employed by us. And the scrutiny continues when each item arrives in our warehouse.
Our quality control procedures meet ISO9000 standards and our products are all OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
Our State-of-the-Art Warehouse
Efficiency and Responsibility
Discover the core of BC SoftWear where efficiency and readiness converge. Our expansive 20,000 square foot warehouse ensures that we consistently have a comprehensive range of products in stock, ready for immediate dispatch. This means seamless service for you—no waiting, no fuss.
In our pursuit of excellence, we also embrace responsibility. Our facility operates with a commitment to sustainability: we are proud to be a plastic-free environment and use electric forklifts to minimise our carbon footprint.
To facilitate ongoing growth internationally, we have a warehouse fulfillment and embroidery facility in the Republic of Ireland, since this region has seen significant growth over the last year.
Furthermore, in order to continue our Mainland Europe expansion, we have opened a Netherlands hub to offer similar facilities.
Every package we send out is a commitment to quality and sustainability. At BC SoftWear, we're not just delivering luxury; we're ensuring it's done responsibly.
Mark Fisher, Warehouse Manager
20,000 Square Foot
Our warehouse spans a massive 15,000 square feet, ensuring ample space for an extensive inventory ready for immediate dispatch.
100% Electric
Pioneering green logistics, our all- electric forklift fleet underscores our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Zero Plastic
Embracing eco-friendly practices, we've eliminated plastic from our operations, delivering your luxury with a conscience.
