ANGELA and Nigel Cullen are in stitches every day they go to work.
And the happy couple certainly have had a big smile on their faces since receiving a major boost to their Milnrow-based embroidery and engraving business.
The award of a licence from the Ministry of Defence allows Angela and Nigel – collectively StitchesRUS – to incorporate insignia and emblems of the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force on to garments for sale.
And as a former squaddie the newly acquired permission is a feather in the cap of Nigel and his wife.
“It has been a long process, it probably took us about six months,” said Angela.
“But now to be fully registered with the Ministry of Defence, is excellent news.
“With Nigel being ex Royal Corps of Signals, it spurred us on to apply for the licence.
“Nigel knows a lot of people who want their own regalia on polo shirts or sweatshirts when they go to meetings and reunions.
“This way they will definitely know which gang they were in.
“As a licence holder, it allows us to use any emblems or cap badges the emblems from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.”
StitchesRUs, based at Unit one Albert Mill on Newhey Road, have also taken delivery of a new laser engraving machine.
The business, which supplies many famous high-quality brands and known favourites such as Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, Jerzees, Premier and Awdis, has certainly come a long way since it first launched.
“We started off at home with one embroidery machine in the spare bedroom,” laughed Angela.
“We then had a unit at Woodend Mill in Mossley before moving to Milnrow five years ago this month.
“The location is ideal: we are on the ground floor so easy to find, located on the main road and also close to the motorway.
“When we moved in the was a shell but we have built everything ourselves to what it is now.”
Nigel made a couple of tours in Northern Ireland but served most of his time in Germany.
“For the last eight months I was in Berlin before the wall came down, which was an experience,” he revealed.
“Sometimes I wish I had stayed in and served a bit longer.
But if I had done that then I wouldn’t be where I am today.”