Retailer is on a roll with store openings

Storey, based in Washington, Wearside, owns and operates the Walter Wall and Woodland Floors stores, and recently opened a Storey Carpets shop in Durham. The company said it was planning to open more, with the creation of about 30 jobs.

The group already employs about 350 people.

The company is expanding rapidly and has 42 outlets across the North and in Scotland.

It also has a UK-wide website operation at ukcarpetsdirect.com

Storey has announced a link-up with business services group Ernst and Young to help its expansion.

John Cattell, Storey's financial director, said the step had been taken as the company's growth continued at a rapid rate.

He said: "It is important for us to be able to have access to a greater depth of financial advice and be confident in the quality of that advice so that we can continue to grow and develop as efficiently as possible.

John Cattell will be working with David Mattu, who is based at Ernst and Young's Newcastle centre.

Mr Mattu said: "Storey Carpets has a tremendous history and its ambitious expansion plans mean their future is just as bright. We are very much looking forward to working with John and the Storey team to provide a range of financial services."

Storey chief executive Simon Heptinstall said: "The partnerships that we continue to develop with companies such as Ernst and Young proves our growth is no overnight sensation.

"The continued upturn in our performance figures show that we can maintain our goal of giving the customer genuine choice and value in an environment suited to the purchasing of specialist flooring that cannot be matched anywhere else."

The company operates 42 outlets with further expansion planned throughout this year.

Its latest new store, in Durham City Retail Park, opened earlier this month.

Storey Carpets is Britain's largest independent flooring specialist and has been voted the UK's flooring retailer of the year three years in succession.