Design company plans expansion
9:11am Thursday 23rd September 2010 in Business News
A DESIGN company is to launch expansion plans and has promised to devote more time to Bolton businesses as well as taking on extra staff.
Meme Media has moved into new and bigger offices at Tonge Bridge, off Bury Road in Bolton.
The company has revamped its website and turnover is currently about £750,000.
Over the next five years, bosses Conrad Fleming and Robert Hughes hope to reach about £1.5 million turnover.
It is a far cry from Meme Media’s humble beginnings in the back bedroom of a house in Astley Bridge.
Mr Fleming and Mr Hughes, who have worked together for more than 12 years, formed the agency in 2003.
Despite the effects of the recession, the company has been performing well and has made the move from its old mill premises in Halliwell into more modern offices.
Mr Fleming said: “We started working in the back bedroom of my old house in Astley Bridge, but we soon expanded into all the other rooms.
“In the end, we had to move to the mill because we had taken on staff.
“Now, we have nine staff working for us and will probably need to take a couple of people on in the near future.
“Up until now, we have not done much work for Bolton companies, but we intend to start getting more involved with the local business community.”
Mr Fleming and Mr Hughes set up in business together with just £20,000 capital after meeting at Link Publicity in Warrington.
And recently, Meme Media has become involved with the town’s community radio station, Bolton FM.
Mr Fleming said: “We have redesigned a lot of their materials and sales brochures as a gesture of our commitment to the Bolton family.
“We intend putting ourselves more out and about as we look to secure some local contracts to help local companies improve their competitiveness.”
Bolton FM chairman Andrew Dickson said: “Bolton FM is really grateful for the help, time, effort and creative thinking Meme have given us, and all of this at no charge to the station.”
The partners have a total of 35 years of experience working in the graphic design, advertising and marketing industry Mr Fleming said: “We are a multimedia agency working with some very prestigious clients, mainly in the leisure industry “Both Rob, I and all our seven staff share a passion for the work we do and are very much results driven.
“The new 3,000sqft of offices give us lots more space, comfort and scope for expansion.
“I believe our success comes down to our business ethos — we are not expensive but affordable.”
The Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton Cllr John Byrne and Lynda Byrne officially opened the company’s new premises in Tonge Bridge Way.
And at the launch party last week, Meme Media raised £850 for the mayor’s charities through a charity auction and casino night.
