A NEW signage company in Swindon has opened a state-of-the-art production facility to design and create quality signs and graphics after securing a £75,000 package from HSBC.

Acornbeach Limited, which is run by husband and wife Chris and Kelly Seston, will be offering its services to over 10,000 businesses in the local community as part of the UK’s largest graphics franchise business, Signs Express.

The funding package provided by HSBC has supported the initial set-up of the franchise, including the acquisition of digital imaging equipment, wide format printers and state-of-art cutters. As a result of the new business venture, a full time, permanent production manager has been hired and the business is looking to create more jobs for the local economy as the business expands.

Chris said he was excited by the new venture which is based at Westmead Industrial Estate.

He added: “It’s been a lifelong aspiration to set up our own business and with HSBC’s help we’ve managed to get the funding to fulfil our ambitions. We chose to work with HSBC on the recommendation of our parent group, Signs Express, and are incredibly excited to be entering a new market under the franchise.”

Signs Express provides a complete signage service, from conception and design to manufacture and installation. Services include vehicle graphics and wrapping, window graphics, exhibition and display graphics, exterior and interior signs, DDA compliant Health & Safety signs, labels and stickers, canvas and wide format prints for a range of business and domestic customers.

Sarah Lucas, HSBC’s Area Director for Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, said: “Signs Express has been operating successfully for over 28 years and its expansive network of franchisees means customers have all the benefits of working with a national business but with added local knowledge. HSBC has extensive franchise experience so we were keen to help Acornbeach and Signs Express enter the Swindon market for the first time and support job creation for the local economy.”