Aycliffe Today Business | Page 16

Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 17 Fleet Recruitment offers a simple proposition through our company values. To treat our clients and candidates alike with honesty, transparency, fairness and with great communication. Competitive and easy to do business with, Fleet Recruitment is a trusted business partner with an outstanding reputation for putting client and candidate interests first. üCommercial üEngineering üSales and Marketing üManufacturing üLegal Call us today to learn more about how we can add value to your business. A NEW COMPANION Pictures by Steve Brock Crafter’s Companion founder Sara Davies talks exclusively to Aycliffe Today Business editor Martin Walker... Fleet Recruitment Ltd, Block 2, Entrance C, St Cuthberts House, St Cuthberts Way, Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 6DX T: 01325 313184 E: [email protected] W: www.fleetrecruitment.co.uk APO DELIVER LEADING EDGE PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY TRAINING, MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENT PACKAGES THAT EMBRACE A RANGE OF TOPICS TO ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS: Procurement Diplomas Levels 3 to 6 Crafter’s Companion founder Sara Davies inside the former Holiways site on Horndale Avenue. Procurement Diplomas are fast becoming the alternative to the tired examination route to professional qualifications. APO recognises that exams do not suit every individual's learning style and the Diplomas offer a flexible learning methodology without the stress and anxiety that time bound exams can cause. Management Diplomas Available from levels 3 to 7 Do you want to increase your knowledge of management and also demonstrate your competence? Then this qualification could be the one for you! Available from Level 3 in Team Leading, right up to the level 7 in Strategic Management & Leadership, there is certain to be a level to suit you. For full information, please visit our website www.apotraining.co.uk and complete the enquiry tab or contact us on 0333 7000 740 | [email protected] A lmost four long years have passed since Holiways went out of business – but its building is now set to get a new lease of life. Newton Aycliffe will welcome one of County Durham’s biggest success stories when the UK’s largest paper crafting supplier moves into the eye-catching structure at Horndale Avenue. While the modern premises – built not long before the car dealership’s sad demise – has been gathering dust in recent years, Coundon-based Crafter’s Companion has grown rapidly with its current turnover exceeding £15m. The family-run firm plans to invest over £100,000 to transform the old car showroom at Aycliffe Business Park into its new HQ, which will lead to the creation of at least 10 new roles. Along with the new head office, Crafter’s Companion is also ploughing a further £500,000 into a flagship store to help to attract more people into craft and provide a training for independent craft retailers. The retail outlet, which will be next door to the new HQ, is part of the firm’s ambitious plans to become a £100m-a-year business within the next decade and is set to create a further 12 jobs. The idea behind the centre is to create a destination store that will give visitors the chance to experience the Crafter’s Companion brand and socialise with the crafting community. The store will be the first of its kind in the UK and will include several themed shopping sections, a coffee shop and a number... continued on page 18