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The plus size clothes business is booming and popular dress sizes are increasing in Preston, according to shops.

One in four women in the city are now a size 18 or above, new national research shows.

The market for plus-size clothing has grown by almost 50% to £3.8 billion in the past five years, according to data analysts Mintel.

A total of 6.2 million women now fall into the category, which is generally size 18 and upwards.

And larger-size menswear has grown by 6% to £1.9 billion between 2005 and 2010.

In Preston, one man whose shop has been in the city centre since 1914, said he has seen an increase in demand for size 18 stock.

Shawn Fisher, owner of Novello and Co, Fishergate, for around 30 years, said: “We have made a conscious effort to duplicate some of our larger sized clothes.

“Our most popular sizes are now 16 to 18 whereas maybe a few years ago it was a 12 or 14. We do still get smaller customers who are looking for size eights.

“I think it’s partially down to lifestyle. People lead busy lives now, rely more on cars and don’t necessarily have time to look after themselves as well as they should.”

A spokesman for plus-size clothes shop Evans, in The Fishergate Centre, said the company encourages women to dress for their shape rather than being negative.

He said: “We are due to release the second Beth Ditto at Evans collection in September and we had an amazing response when we launched last year, showing there really is an appetite for high fashion led products within this market place. “What every woman wants irrespective of size is fashion and it feels like the beginning of a revolution in plus size to give more choice than ever before.”

But health experts have warned people need to keep an eye on their weight, particularly if their dress size has been creeping up.

Amy Dunne, NHS Central Lancashire weight management co-ordinator, said: “Being overweight can be problematic because it can increase the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.

“It can also have an effect on people’s psychological status.

“People are not maybe checking on their weight as often as they should and I think that’s where clothes sizes can help.

“We would recommend people check their weight regularly so they become aware if they have put a couple of pounds on. If it becomes year on year, it could tip people from a healthy weight to an overweight category.”

But not all Preston shops stock plus sizes. A spokesman for Miss Matilda’s Boutique, Winckley Street, said: “We sell stock up to a size 14 and obviously we are by no means sizest, it’s just how our suppliers run the pack sizes.

“We do still get plus-sized customers coming into the store to buy gifts and accessories.”

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