Newcastle-based business grows bigger and better

Dec 2 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

AN interior design firm is bucking the recession and has moved into bigger premises to cope with its bigger workload and extra staff.

Newcastle-based Fionda Furnishings, which is run by sisters Nikki Fionda and Anne Smith, has increased in size from three to five people and has shifted into a bigger unit on Hoults Estate.

Originally started as a home-based business by Ms Fionda, the firm moved into Hoults nine years ago. Its new premises has an industrial lift and space to run courses and workshops.

Ms Fionda said: “We’re just so busy now – we needed the extra space for the extra staff. We had a couple of quiet months but so the busy ones have been busier. September and June were quiet but all the other months have been busier and and the contracts are larger.” The business mainly carries out domestic contracts but is securing more orders from commercial customers. Ms Fionda, who studied textiles and worked for a large interior design company before deciding to go it alone, is also keen to pass on her skills.

She said: “We have students from Newcastle College who do part of their work placements with us and I also teach interior decoration.

“I’m developing workshops that I can teach in the bigger premises. I’ve just done a couple on making Christmas decorations. Everything is now geared up for qualifications – there is nothing just for leisure, so I saw a gap in the market.”