A WORKTOP supplier is looking to create jobs after spending more than £300,000 on equipment and making a factory move.

Granitexpress has switched from Teesside to Sunderland, with bosses saying they need staff to keep pace with demand and support plans to target new work across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire and the Midlands.

The business, known for its granite and quartz worktops, which are made in the North-East, spent seven years in Middlesbrough.

However, Michael Pearson, managing director, said the time was right for a move, adding the firm has been helped by Sunderland City Council’s business investment team.

He said: “The move to Sunderland suits us very well.

“It is close enough to the A19 to easily serve the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, where we have long-established customers.

“But it also opens up great access to Cumbria, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, bringing us much closer to all these key markets.”

Irene Lucas, chief executive at the council, added: “Granitexpress’ investment underlines the city’s status as an ideal place for ambitious businesses.”