A FORMER accountant has given up number crunching in favour of sandwiches.

Iain Harisson decided on a career change earlier this year and opted to take on a franchise with Baguette Express. He has created 10 jobs by opening the branch in the yellow QUBE mall at the Metrocentre.

Mr Harisson said: “I thought the time was right to make the change from accountancy to retail – an area I have always been interested in.

“Baguette Express looked like a great franchise opportunity and I liked the unique ‘unlimited fillings, same price’ concept. I could see that this would appeal to shoppers looking for a good deal.”

He is already eyeing expansion and will open a second franchise with the business early next year at The Galleries shopping centre in Washington.

The Baguette Express concept started in Scotland in 1999 as a single shop in the East Lothian area. Entrepreneurs Robin and Billy Stenhouse decided to go down the franchise route when they reached seven branches.

There are now 74 outlets nationwide and the brand is expanding rapidly.

The North East and Carlisle licences are held by Newcastle-based brothers Azeem and Wasim Arshad.

Originally from Hamilton in Scotland, Azeem opened two Baguette Express franchises in Newcastle, at St Mary’s Place and Shields Road, and one in Sunderland.