A CITY fancy dress firm has launched a crowdfunding investment scheme as part of its expansion plans.

Fancy Dress Worldwide, based at Shrub Hill Trading Estate, hopes to raise £200,000 through investment site Seedrs.

The growing city firm operates a multi-platform online system, selling costumes, accessories and party decorations in eight countries on Amazon and eBay, with website partners such as Top Cashback and Quidco working as affiliates.

Growth has been rapid, with Fancy Dress Worldwide shipping to more than 380,000 customers in 85 countries since March 2016 and has been valued at £2 million.

People can invest from £31.65, the share price, and the money raised will help the e-commerce company expand their product range and online presence over the next two years.

Dom Portman, Fancy Dress Worldwide managing director, said: “It’s been a fast paced two years and we are now entering an exciting growth phase, with the appointment of a strong senior management team.

“Online crowdfunding is now being used by many high profile companies as a connection to everyday investors alongside professional business angels. Seedrs offers a great platform for both investors and companies, with a secondary market for investors to trade shares on at a fair market value as the company grows.”

The long term aim for the company, legally known as DAPV Limited, is to expand into more industries with a continued investment in technology which is winning trade online and enabling fulfilment to be streamlined.

Fancy Dress Worldwide has recently appointed a head of technology and head of finance as well as welcomed former Citibank senior executive banker Kayar Raghavan on board as non-executive director.

The campaign has raised 94 per cent of the target investment in the first week since it went live. Interested investors can visit seedrs.com/fancy-dress-worldwide.