A FAMILY-OWNED business in York is flourishing despite the difficult financial climate.

Tech Tyres is an independent garage which has more than doubled its staff in recent years, despite facing the worst global economic crisis in decades.

Company director Vic Smith said the business has gone from strength to strength since it moved to the Osbaldwick Industrial Estate in 2004.

He said: “We advertised our change of premises in The Press six years ago, and since then we’ve increased our staff level from four to nine. We have also developed our depot from containing just two bays to ten, and just last week opened up our new MOT station.”

Mr Smith said the upgraded premises would also mean he could expand his workforce even further.

“We have been presented with expert dealer status by Truckpoint and Bridgestone UK, and with the promotion of our new MOT station we aim to increase business and staff levels in the future.”

Mr Smith said: “I’ve worked with one member of the team for 31 years, and the others have between eight and 16 years experience each.

“Now we’re in a great position for the future and I’m looking forward to seeing business boom.”

Last year The Press launched the York Means Business campaign to promote the economy in Selby, York, and North and East Yorkshire. It was supported by business leaders, local politicians and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who called the region’s 300,000 small businesses “the lifeblood of the area’s economy”.

The campaign has seen a Shop Local poster campaign, Shop Of The Year competition, and even the creation of a film to attract investment and jobs to York.

Susie Cawood, the head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said recently the overall economic picture was much more positive than it was last March.