Japan could be an ‘important’ new market for Harrogate Water, according to its sales and marketing director Rob Pickering.

The company confirmed it is in discussions with Japanese distributors after hosting a visit from Mr Koji Tsuruoka, Japan’s UK Ambassador.

Harrogate Water’s export and new business development manager Greg Hatton, together with Mr Pickering, met the Ambassador on 18 October.

Mr Pickering said: “We already export to a number of countries in the Far East, including China, Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea.

“Securing distribution in Japan is something we are actively seeking.

“The ambassador agreed the Japanese market represented a great opportunity for the brand. We hope to begin exporting some time during 2019.”

Harrogate Water has already secured numerous contracts in recent months, including a five-year sponsorship extension with Ascot, and a new promotional deal with US studio 20th Century Fox.