Hyndburn catalogue firm's jobs pledge

2:35pm Friday 9th May 2008

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MORE than 100 new jobs could be created as a company looks to build on the success of its relocation to East Lancashire.

Almost 200 jobs were created when Kleeneze moved its headquarters from Bristol to Clayton Business Park, Accrington, last year.

Managing director, Jamie Stewart, claims the company is looking to expand its base of catalogue distributors in the Accrington area and believes East Lancashire is a growth area.

And he said that current economic worries and fears of recession would not affect the company.

He said: "The business has just been ticking along at the same level. But I want to make Accrington the new Bristol in terms of distributors.

"In the last few weeks we have gone from a few distributors in Accrington to 12 and we see it going from there, maybe up to 100 to 150 in the Blackburn area."

At different points in the year, the company distributes catalogues including those which focus mainly on cleaning, health and beauty, outdoor and eco-friendly products.

The move to Accrington was prompted after Findel bought Kleeneze from administrators of the European Home Retail Group in October 2006.

Kleeneze reopened at Findel plc's sites in Clayton Business Park. Findel plc is a home shopping company which includes Church-based Express Gifts and a call centre at the Clayton site.

And Mr Stewart claims the company does well when there is a period of economic instability, like the current situation, because people are looking for what extra work they can do to earn more cash.

He added: "Because of our product mix we are selling everyday items that people want.

"I am excited about the company."