HOBBYCRAFT - the national chain which has an outlet on the Bolton Gate Retail Park - has reported a successful Christmas trading period. The company, which opened its first superstore in Bournemouth in 1995, says sales for the seven-week Christmas period were 62 per cent up on last year with like-for-like sales up 5.7 per cent. Sales for the 43 weeks since the start of the financial year on March 1, l998 were up 84 per cent and 4.7 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

Chief Executive Warren Haskins said: "We traded well through the Christmas period.

"This is a very pleasing performance in a young market.

"We are leading the development of art and craft superstores in the UK and with our exciting opening programme will maintain our position as the leading craft retailer in Europe."

The company intends to open new stores this year in Basildon, Crayford, Watford, Colliers Wood and Reading.

Craftworld, a company in the same market, has called in administrative receivers.

Their store at Middlebrook, Lostock has closed with the loss of 50 jobs.

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