Internet pair on fast Track

12:08pm Sunday 4th November 2007

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A BUSINESS started by two East Lancs entrepreneurs has become the fastest growing technology company in the North West.

Online retailer TheHut.com topped the regional section of the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 list and was placed 18th in the country.

The firm sells DVDs, CDs, games and books through its internet site and saw sales rise from £692,000 in 2005 to £5.7million in 2007 - a 187 per cent increase.

As well as internet sales, TheHut.com also provides websites for all sizes of businesses, from retail giants such as Asda and Dixons to smaller traders.

The two men behind the company are John Gallemore, 38, who was brought up in Padiham and went to St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, and Matthew Moulding, 35, who was born in Colne and went to the town's Fisher-More RC High School.

They met while both working at the Cauldwell Group in Crewe in 2001, and started up the company in 2004.

Mr Gallemore said: "Matt bought a CD online and couldn't believe how cheap it was.

"So we looked into how to sell smaller items through the internet and it has spiralled from there."

Mr Gallemore had been head of finance for 20-20 Mobile Group's International Trading business in Stoke but left to start the company, now based at Gadbrook Park, Northwich.

Mr Moulding still works for the company where he is chief financial officer.

Mr Gallemore, a lifelong Burnley FC fan, said: "I wanted to break free from the grind of a nine-to-five existence and become my own boss.

"I was also fed up with making money for other people and wanted to provide a secure future for my family.

"One day I would like to invest in Burnley Football Club or at the very least buy them a decent striker."

Now in its seventh year, the annual Sunday Times league table ranks Britain's one hundred fastest growing, private technology companies by their sales growth over a two-year period, according to their latest available accounts. Just seven businesses in the region have won places on this year's listing.