Katy Sue's Sue Balfour and Neil Stephenson with staff, who have signed the South Tyneside Pledge.

Katy Sue

Katy Sue, based in South Shields, is one of the UK’s fastest growing craft businesses. Starting from a kitchen table in the town and now employing over 30 staff, with plans to get to 100 employees and revenue of £10m by 2025 – Katy Sue encompasses a real South Tyneside ethos. Based in the heart of the town, the company works with local suppliers including Harlow Printing in South Shields.

Experts in papercraft, imaginative craft, silicone moulds and acrylic craft products, all of which are made in South Shields, Katy Sue signed up to the South Tyneside Pledge in order to continue to grow, recruit and procure in the Borough.

Sue Balfour, CEO of Katy Sue said:

“We are really proud to have the majority of our workforce drawn from the local community, and we have a number of ambitious growth plans in place to help the Borough thrive. We look forward to providing more opportunities and encourage businesses of all sizes to sign up to the Pledge.”

Katy Sue's Sue Balfour and Neil Stephenson with staff, who have signed the South Tyneside Pledge.
Katy Sue’s Sue Balfour and Neil Stephenson with staff, who have signed the South Tyneside Pledge.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council and Chair of South Tyneside Partnership said:

“We’ve watched Katy Sue develop rapidly from a small homegrown start up into a fantastic award-winning business that has expanded rapidly and now sells products in over 50 countries.

“Katy Sue is such a brilliant example of a business doing exactly what the Pledge stands for – boosting our local economy and bringing about positive change by spending, recruiting and thriving right here in South Tyneside.”

Launched in January 2022, the South Tyneside Pledge aims to boost local economic activity, reduce health inequalities, cut carbon emissions and enhance civic pride for the benefit of the whole Borough. The pledge sets out nine commitments, which are all about keeping things local, through a short report every six months.

To find out more about Kat Sue, go to https://katysuedesigns.com/

Organisations, public and private, big businesses and small firms, can sign up at any time and become part of the Pledge South Tyneside network at www.southtyneside.gov.uk

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