BUILT ON PASSION, PEOPLE AND FAMILY
In December 2025 Gasbits marked an incredible milestone as co-founders Steve Ware and Ross Pavey celebrated 20 years in business; and a chance to celebrate not just longevity, but the journey from a simple idea to a thriving, multi-site business and proud member of The IPG.
The story of Gasbits began in the summer of 2005, when two people from very different backgrounds discovered a shared ambition.
Steve Ware, a qualified heating engineer with years of corporate management experience at Tesco, had grown tired of the constraints of the daily 9 to 5. Returning to the tools, he quickly spotted a gap in the local market; engineers and plumbers needed a supplier who truly understood their needs and delivered proper, customer-focused service.
Steve turned to Ross Pavey, also formerly of Tesco, whose vast retail management experience and enthusiasm made him the perfect partner. Together, they launched Gas Appliance Spares in Bournemouth, Dorset, with three clear goals:
To do things differently
To put customers first
To build lasting relationships within the trade.
Starting out by selling heating spares, the business quickly gained momentum. Customers responded not just to the products, but to the energy, friendliness, and reliability that Steve and Ross brought to the counter.
As their customers’ confidence in what they could offer grew, so did the business. The company rebranded to Gasbits, expanded into also offering boilers, and began growing a small but committed team. A second branch was opened in Christchurch, Dorset, though economic challenges later led to the tough but necessary decision to refocus all efforts back into the Bournemouth branch.
Rather than stand still, Gasbits continued to evolve. Seeing an opportunity to broaden their product offer, Steve and Ross then introduced bathrooms to the business.
When a nearby unit became available, they seized the moment and opened their first bathroom studio, naming it The Bath Works. The move proved inspired, with customers embracing the convenience and synergy between being able to buy heating, plumbing, and bathroom solutions at the same time.
By 2017, it was evident that Gasbits needed a second and larger site which came in New Milton, a market town situated on the Dorset-Hampshire border. This new location combined a busy trade counter with a large bathroom showroom under the branding of The Bath Works, creating a truly one-stop destination.
Joining The IPG
That same year, Gasbits joined The IPG, an important step that expanded the merchant’s product range, strengthened supplier partnerships, and helped take the business to the next level. It then became apparent that the company should be rebranded from Gasbits to Gas & Plumb Bits, to properly encompass the product offerings.
2017 also marked a business milestone when Steve’s wife, Kate, joined full-time to lead The Bath Works. Her involvement allowed Steve and Ross to sharpen their focus on growth and strategy, while The Bath Works continued to flourish.
Family involvement deepened further in 2019 when Ross’s wife, Nicola, joined the business to oversee HR and support operations across the company, reinforcing the strong values at Gasbits’ core.
The brand reached another high point in 2023 with the opening of its first standalone The Bath Works showroom in Southbourne. Designed to inspire, the showroom featured VR technology, a working shower area, and bold, creative layouts. Industry recognition soon followed, with The Bath Works crowned BKU Bathroom Showroom of the Year in 2024 and named a finalist at the KBB Awards.
Growth continued in 2024 with the acquisition of a former merchant’s premises in Poole, bringing the business to four locations. Like New Milton, the site blends Gas & Plumb Bits with The Bath Works, offering customers choice, expertise, and consistency.
Today, Steve and Ross remain as hands-on and passionate as ever, focused on refining the business, supporting their team, and delivering outstanding service. From a conversation between two friends to an award-winning independent business, Gasbits is a story of resilience, ambition, and people. With family at the helm and at the heart of everything they do, the future for Gasbits has never looked brighter.
