CHRISTMAS begins next month for a North-East craft company that is creating new jobs to meet the festive rush.

Lasercutouts designs and makes a wide range of precision shapes for crafters while its business to business work in areas like display and signage is growing quickly with the help of its own in-house design services from its new home on the Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington.

The company is now expanding from three members of staff and is aiming to create two new jobs and an apprenticeship as it prepares for the busy Christmas period - which for Lasercutouts begins in June.

Former local authority IT network manager Paul Stott initially sold his products at craft fairs. He took the decision to leave his job at Gateshead Council three years ago during the downturn and start a full-time business.

Initially based in his garage in Washington, the business moved into a small unit in Sunderland and then to the larger premises he now occupies at the Crowther Industrial Estate, where it has space to expand.

He said: “The Crowther Industrial Estate is known as a crafting estate and our core business is providing the crafters’ market with shapes, quotes and bespoke designed pieces which they then embellish and sell through their own outlets.

"We are now in a manufacturing unit five times larger than our original Southwick premises. It also benefits from a retail space, which has given us a public face and additional passing trade."

Mr Stott invested his own money in the company’s start-up equipment but Lasercutouts has also worked closely with the business investment team at Sunderland City Council. In addition to advice on growth, the company was supported by the City Council in its search for new equipment and larger premises.

Council leader, Paul Watson, said: “Lasercutouts is a great example of a business that started small and is now poised to flourish.

“We are pleased to support the company’s ambitions and are looking forward to seeing Lasercutouts flourish in its new premises. It is great news the firm is creating jobs for Sunderland, and bringing in business which will benefit the wider economy.

“Our business investment team is always ready to speak to new and existing businesses that are looking to locate themselves in Sunderland, as well as ambitious companies already based here that we can help to expand and meet their potential.”

Lasercutouts can be found at Unit 6, Crowther Industrial Estate, Washington NE38 0AD and is open seven days a week or online at www.lasercutouts.co.uk