Arts and craft retailer HobbyCraft has reported a good Christmas with like-for-like sales growth of 10.6% for the six weeks to January 3.

In its year to date, the 45 weeks to January 3, total sales were 24% ahead of the same period last year, up 8.8% on a like-for-like basis.

HobbyCraft chief executive Chris Crombie said: “I continue to be delighted with our strong performance and am especially pleased with these results.  HobbyCraft served over six million customers in 2009 and we estimate that over Christmas four million cards were ‘HobbyCrafted’.  We look forward to continued growth in 2010 and serving more new customers.”

HobbyCraft now has 45 stores with 10 new shops planned for 2010.

The retailer was put up for sale at the end of last year with a price tag thought to be around £70m. Former Borders UK owner Luke Johnson has confirmed he would consider bidding for the chain.