WHEN the doors of a clothing factory closed more than a decade ago, there were fears a town would struggle to find its way back from the loss of its biggest employer.

In 1991 the Ramar factory, in Crook, closed after the company fell into receivership and more than 450 people lost their jobs.

But the site is enjoying a new lease of life as an enterprise park - home to 15 thriving businesses and the workplace of almost 90 employers.

The former Ramar factory was taken over by Bob and Tracey Wolff as a base for their carpet and upholstery contracts business soon after the demise of the clothing firm.

Mr Wolff said: "It was a good site, 100,000 square feet of interconnected factories and buildings, but it had fallen into a poor state.

"As we did the place up, small firms expressed an interest in moving to the site, we renamed it the Wolff Commercial Centre, spent money upgrading the property, and haven't looked back."

The original carpet and upholstery business continues to thrive with contracts for the likes of Butlins, Warner, Pontins, The Salvation Army, Sure Start and Lloyds TSB.

The site is also home to a diverse mix of businesses in manufacturing, distribution, and retail of items such as window blinds, medical products, uPVC windows, security cards, scaffolding, sports goods, motor vehicle repairs and leather goods.

One building was sold to Nick Algar who started plastic mouldings and vacuum manufacturing company ESP, which employs 22 staff, supplying Eldis caravans, Triumph motorbikes, Flymo and Black and Decker.

The development has won praise from agencies concerned with the regeneration of the area, which has suffered a series of economic blows in recent times.

A spokesperson for Wear Valley District Council's regeneration department said: "Mr Wolff's project utilising a redundant factory to create speculative workspace and offices for start-up, existing businesses and further investment into the district creating job opportunities in the area is applauded and supported by Wear Valley District Council."

Mr Wolff said: "Realistically our company could be based anywhere but I'm pleased to be here.

"I travel a lot and it's always a delight to get back to the area - the quality of life here is unbeatable.

"The scenery, peace, the warm and hard working people, make it a wonderful place to live and the area has a lot to offer to people in business."