'Luxury' handbag restorer to increase workforce following £800k investment

A North East company that restores and resells luxury handbags to clients worldwide has raised £800k from the North East Venture Fund.

The investment will allow Handbag Clinic to create around 20 new jobs at its premises in Burnopfield, County Durham, further develop its technology and its senior management team.

As part of the investment, the company has appointed the former CEO of Claire’s Accessories, Beatrice LaFon, as Chair and Ian Griffiths, founder of WhoCanFixMyCar.com.

Handbag Clinic restores around 700 bags each month and resells around 300, including luxury brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci.

The company has stores in King’s Road in Chelsea and in Leeds, concessions in Fenwick’s in Newcastle and Colchester and franchises in Europe and the Middle East.

Founder Charlotte Staerck said: “Despite the challenging trading conditions within the pandemic, we’ve enjoyed consistent growth and record online sales. We are excited to welcome both Beatrice and Ian onto the Board – their unrivalled knowledge and expertise will add huge value.

“They share our vision and, together with the new investment, can help us to realise our aggressive growth plans, taking Handbag Clinic to the next level.”