I think that you will find that this man was a house painter.
On the 1911 census, he is shown as a widower, back living with his parents and siblings. Later there is a report as follows:-
Sid
Clark began at Reed's in 1928, after leaving school. Joe
Croft also served his time here, before he went to work for Burnopfield
Coopp Society. By far the longest and best known worker for
Reeds, was Jack
Johnson, who came here in 1920, after serving his time at
Swalwell Coopp Store. He retired in 1966. Ned
Reed, bought Whickham
Lodge, along with his brother Robert Michael
Reed,
Painter & Decorator, where they intended to develop part of the Estate in 1937. Money was to be made in the Butchery trade and
Reeds had two vans out on the streets in the 1950's. The assistants found extra work for themselves, killing pigs for local people, also turkeys etc. at Christmas time. Michael
Furness also worked here in 1974. John R. Reed was the proprietor in the 1950's and 60's.
www.sunnisidelocalhistorysociety.co.uk