ONE of Huntingdonshire s most successful small businesses reports significant difficulty in recruiting experienced sales staff – in spite of a recent boom in orders. It took Kimbolton-based House of Flags, one of the UK s leading suppliers of flags, banne

ONE of Huntingdonshire's most successful small businesses reports significant difficulty in recruiting experienced sales staff - in spite of a recent boom in orders.

It took Kimbolton-based House of Flags, one of the UK's leading suppliers of flags, banners and flagpoles, with customers in nearly every British local authority, three months to recruit just two sales staff - in spite of offering competitive rates.

Sales were hugely boosted by the World Cup, and particularly England's progress to the quarter-finals.

"Summer is always a busy time, and demand for our products increases," said Alice Codrington, national sales manager.

"The World Cup and people's willingness to show their support for the England team through the display of St George's flags was an added bonus to our business, but it also highlighted our need to recruit more telesales staff. Finding people who want to work for a dynamic and successful company is becoming increasingly difficult."

"With a diverse customer base (including many blue chip companies) and wide range of printed fabric products, from traditional flags to wrappings for whole buildings, HoF is a brilliant place to refine and develop sales skills while promoting an unusual and interesting product."

At £18,000-a-year for someone with just a year's sales experience and a pleasant working environment on Bicton Industrial Park in the west Huntingdonshire village, it is far from a low-wage job for the district.

"Of course, we pay more for more experience," she added.

"It has been really hard to recruit people," she told The Hunts Post. "It's difficult to believe people don't want to work for a progressive company and earn some money."

CONTACT: Potential flagship sales people can contact Alice Codrington on 01480 862870.