LOCAL business people are invited to a question and answer session from cricketing legend Australia’s spin king Shane Warne.

The offer comes from Shaun Udal, who has asked the cricket great to attend the grand opening of his logo embroidery business Cotton Graphics’ new base at The Loddon Centre, in Stroudley Road, on Wednesday, September 2.

The former England and Hampshire cricketer, recently moved the business from Dummer Down Farm, where the company had been based for 15 years.

Three years ago the off-spinner bought the business from two other original partners – former Hampshire cricket players Robin Smith and Jon Hardy.

And since then he has not looked back.

Shaun said: “We have more than doubled our turnover over the last three years and our client base has increased.

“But we couldn’t take on more work as we were rammed – we needed more space.

“Being based at Dummer Down Farm was a lovely site for us, but it had no passing trade and no brand awareness because nobody knew we were there.

“Now we have got the space to accommodate more work.”

Cotton Graphics’ 5,080 sq ft unit at The Loddon Centre, also known as TLC, has doubled the size of its premises, allowing Shaun to increase his staff to eight and acquire more equipment.

“Recently, we bought a brand new eight head machine and two new single head machines,” explained Shaun, who just like his cricketing days, is passionate about the quality of his game.

Now that he can increase the quantity of work for Cotton Graphics, he is determined that this will not affect the quality and service offered.

He has some high profile clients, including businesses from the world of sport, cars and airlines, who are impressed with quality of the logos and emblems sewn onto clothing and work overalls.

The firm also boasts customers from the medical, hospitality and education sectors, as well as supplying work wear, corporate wear and leisure wear “We are always looking for new business, which is in part why we are holding this grand opening with Shane Warne, exclusively for business people.”

Shane was captain of Hampshire for three seasons from 2005 to 2007 and often worked in tandem with Shaun as spinners “We are good mates,” said Shaun.

“Every time he is over in this country we meet up for a game of golf, have a couple of beers and a night out.

“Business people can come and see what we’ve got here and what has made us so successful over the last three years.

“We are very proud of what we do and we want to show why.”

To book a place email sales@cottongraphics.co.uk or call 01256 398989.