A SPECIALIST bag business, which started life in its founder’s living room five years ago has just completed a move to a purpose-built premises.
The Printed Bag Shop’s owner and founder Craig Smith says the move to the new 100sqft property in Killingworth, North Tyneside, has come at a crucial time for the business as it aims to expand its operations.
The five-figure investment in new premises will enable the firm to focus solely on bags, having previously offered a range of promotional merchandise and services.
Smith said: “It was a bold step, but one which will pay real dividends. We have altered the mindset of the team here, as well as our online operations, to focus purely on bags. It’s what we’re best at, it’s what we know, so this was really the most sensible route to take.
The Printed Bag Shop, started by Craig from the corner of his living room in 2007, specialises in creating branded and printed carrier bags for a range of small businesses as well as corporate giants such as Coca Cola, Virgin Holidays, EasyJet and Vivienne Westwood.
Closer to home, it has also worked on promotional bags for other North East organisation such as Seven Stories, Sole Heaven and even produced promotional bags for the most recent Miss Newcastle competition.
Smith said: “We’ve grown up a lot in the last 12 months or so. We realise now that, as much as a friendly, warm and reliable service, clients actually rely on our depth of knowledge about the range of options open to them.
“Those having to order bags might not actually know what they want before they place an enquiry. We realise there is a lot of trust placed with us by our customers.
“I hope we’ve found a more permanent home now. To be honest, I didn’t really know the potential of the business when I started, but now we’re putting in all the right people and technical capabilities to ensure we can continue to grow and thrive in what remains a niche, but very competitive arena.”
Since starting the business, Smith has won numerous accolades, including being named North Tyneside entrepreneur of the Year for two consecutive years.
