A budding entrepreneur has been successful in launching a bathroom and kitchen installation business thanks to a council-supported venture.
Newtonian Eddie Hall, of E Hall Installations, is Aycliffe’s most recent resident to secure funding via ‘Step into Business’, a scheme set up by the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) with the aim of helping residents obtain the funding and assistance that is essential to their business ideas.
The new business venture came about after Eddie was made redundant from Husqvarna, where he had worked as a tooling and process development technician for four years.
In the current climate Eddie recognised that people are now often deciding to extend and improve their homes rather than move and felt a business offering bathroom and kitchen installations could capitalise on this trend.
Following his redundancy Eddie set about enhancing his existing skills base and focussed on plumbing, plastering and tiling.
He secured funding through GAMP to complete the plastering and tiling courses whilst self funding the plumbing course.
This has created a selling point for Eddie as he is now able to fit both bathrooms and kitchens without the customer having to arrange or wait for other plasterers and tilers.
Having completed the initial training GAMP were then willing to support Eddie further by contributing to the cost of his tools.
“The support I have received from GAMP and South Durham Enterprise Agency (SDEA) has been invaluable,” said Eddie.
“I have been able to develop my skills and also purchase the tools I need to carry out jobs.
“I was able to purchase a router and a number of saws that are essential to my livelihood and allow me to carry out jobs that previously I wouldn’t have been able to.”
GAMP Co-ordinator Brian Riley added: “The ‘Step into Business’ grant scheme is proving to be successful in helping local people fulfil their dreams of self-employment.
“With funding assistance and sound advice from the SDEA Business Advisors people can begin to put their ideas into place and create a business that is a viable alternative to finding a job.”
Eddie is now running his business within the Newton Aycliffe area and beyond. You can contact him on 07988 864 879 to discuss your requirements.
