From stained glass restoration to replicating family portraits on glass, Jim Cockerill of HALTglass already offered something special from his studio in Sutton Green. Now, after receiving a grant from Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund for new equipment, he’s able to provide unique services unavailable elsewhere in the UK.
HALTglass specialises in creating high-resolution images on glass using traditional stained glass materials, combined with modern techniques such as silk screen printing and sandblasting.
The grant has enabled Jim to purchase two key pieces of equipment: a much larger kiln and a sandblaster.
“The kiln means I can take on architectural-scale projects for clients, while the sandblaster opens up a whole new market in technique and image preparation,” Jim said.
“The exciting thing about this sandblaster is I can offer processing that isn’t available anywhere else in the UK, so it’s very specialist. I’m working within a niche that will definitely expand my business.”
HALTglass serves a diverse client base, from architects and artists looking to realise their work in glass, as well as restoration specialists and stained glass studios.
Future possibilities for HALTglass, thanks to the grant funding
“I work with artists, designers, photographers and architects,” Jim said. “This will allow me to facilitate much larger commissions, much more ambitious commissions, as well as offer them services in glass decoration that are completely unique and quite innovative.
“I’m currently developing a screenprintable sandblast resist. A product and service which is completely new to the market and offering my clients new possibilities in glass.”
Jim noted he wouldn’t have been able to purchase the equipment without the Council’s support. He reports that the grant has made his business more sustainable and enabled growth that ‘could never have happened without this funding’.
“I’ll soon be opening up my facilities in the form of experience days to cater for a broader market and allow anyone who has a passion for the arts to try this new technique.”
More about the Surrey Economic Growth Fund
To date almost £2 million has been awarded to dozens of recipients via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. This funding has helped to unlock significant match funding and private investment, growing Surrey’s economy by £9 million.
Any Surrey business looking for funding or help to grow can receive fully-funded support from Business Surrey. Get in touch via our Contact us form.
