A CRAFT supplies firm has created nearly 30 jobs after completing a £500,000 expansion, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Crafter’s Companion has transformed the former Holiways Ford showroom, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, into offices and a retail base.

Bosses say the venture is the first of its kind in the UK, adding its store, which is equipped with demonstration areas to teach people the art of papercrafting, sewing and home décor, has the potential to bring coachloads of crafting fanatics to the region.

They added the move, from the business’ former headquarters in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, has taken its workforce to more than 70, with some new starters switching to the region from London, Bristol and Nottingham.

Founder and sales director, Sara Davies, said the expansion, which has also created retail jobs to cover store and café demand, will give the business scope to continue growing, through new products and increased marketing campaigns.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mrs Davies, who set up the company while studying at the University of York, said the move has been emotional.

The firm was previously based in Coundon’s Collingwood House, which was once her family’s house and is now home to sister Helen’s decorating business, which was founded her parents.

She said: “I always wanted to be the best at what I did; I wanted that at university, I wanted the first-class honour and to be the best in class.

“This feels amazing; I actually had a few tears when I saw one of the workers in her uniform in the café.

“Just seeing her I thought, ‘this is it, we’ve done it’.

“The staff have taken so much pride in this move, many of them have been with us for so many years and really share our vision.

“The important thing here is the culture and they all remember Coundon and how we would pack the boxes together; we’ve come from humble beginnings.

“However, for all we are a bigger company now, we can still turn on a dime, and I want companies on Aycliffe Business Park to come and see us and for us to be part of the community.

“We are also going to keep looking at things we can do.

“Sewing is getting more mainstream, helped by the BBC show, The Great British Sewing Bee, and we have to look at those types of things to see how we can use it as an opportunity.”

Mrs Davies, who has appeared on a host of TV channels to highlight the company’s tools and gadgets, also reiterated the site will be a training ground for product demonstrators and industry experts to provide enthusiasts with tuition.