By ALAN CALVERT, Industrial Editor A BOOMING business which has chosen to make its new home in Bolton expects to be employing about 150 people by the end of next year.

The Design Company is in the process of transferring from crowded premises in Blackburn Street, Radcliffe, to a purpose-built head office and factory on the Europa Business Park at Kearsley.

It is expected that the current workforce of 93 will be fully-installed in a couple of weeks' time.

Managing director Joan Spours said that another 30 employees - mostly machinists - would be needed within the next three months and the workforce was likely to be up to 150 by the end of 1997.

Mrs Spours started The Design Company in 1991 after identifying a market for the manufacture of high-quality, design-led products for the nursery and young children.

The items they produce, including cot quilts, bed linen, towelling products and gifts, are sold in famous stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Mothercare, Boots and Marks & Spencer.

The manufacturing and embroidery specialists are now making big efforts to pursue export markets.

She is proud to be playing her part in supporting the quality sector of the UK textile industry at a time when manufacture is increasingly carried out abroad by price-conscious companies.

The move to Kearsley has cost about £200,000 on top of building costs of £890,000. "We are here long-term," said Mrs Spours, who demonstrates her commitment to the area through her position as chair of Business Link Bolton and Bury.

She is also a Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council board member.

Mrs Spours, who is from Bury, originally intended to be a translater/interpreter, but working for a leading entrepreneur created a desire to run her own textile business.

She and her husband started Baird Homewear at Whitefield in the 1970s and it was a successful company when it was sold in the 1980s.

Mrs Spours said: "We intend to be part of the local community," She added that they had already established links with pupils and teachers at Harper Green School, Farnworth. "The future for our business is attracting young people into it."

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