Partner Article

Sapling business given spurt of growth

A national business development package is helping a local garden and property maintenance firm to grow. Chris Jackson, owner-manager of Washington-based Absolute Services, has taken part in the New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) - a national programme designed to help people living in disadvantaged areas to start a business.

The programme aims to overcome the difficulties of setting up a new business by providing a comprehensive package of support, mentoring and funding. Through NES, Chris accessed advice through the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC). On completing the course he received a £1500 grant to use towards equipment and resources needed to set up the business.

Chris said: “As a young person it is quite daunting setting up a new business and going it alone. Thanks to the support package I have been able to buy the equipment needed and have received vital support and advice at each step of the way.”

Absolute Services is the only company in the country to offer eco-friendly decking for domestic fitting. Made of plastic, but designed to look like wood, it is recyclable, durable and is approved as an environmentally friendly resource. Having worked for a number of construction firms across the country, Chris has experience of the industry, but was completely green when it came to business management.

Paul Cairns, training manager at the BIC, said: “It is important that people like Chris, who have a good business idea are given the support, advice and tools to turn that idea into reality.”

Absolute Services can be contacted on absoluteserupvc@aol.com or 07933 142 851. For more information about the BIC, visit www.ne-bic.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .