A STORAGE company expects its turnover to break through the £1m barrier after being granted a bonded warehouse licence.

The Storage Place, in Gateshead, is one of only a few companies in the North-East to have the licence, and has created two jobs.

It has also invested £70,000 in racking, security and software.

The licence was granted after the company won a contract with a drinks importer.

Managing director Michael Meredith said: "Our business now has four main strands - storage of palletised goods, warehousing service, self storage, and the latest edition means we are now a fully licensed bonded warehouse. That should see our turnover grow to well in excess of £1m in 2007."