Partner Article

Redundancy leads to start-up for NE joiner

A North East joiner has started up his own business after being made redundant from a large new homes company.

The credit crunch has seen thousands of tradesmen in the North East lose their jobs over the past couple of months. But when award-winning joiner, Darren Atkinson, from Stanley in Durham, was given his notice last week he saw it as the perfect opportunity to fulfil a life-long ambition and start his own business.

“I have been a joiner for over 20 years now, and have worked for most of the house-building companies in the North East of England. However, I have always wanted to work for myself and being made redundant has given me the spur to start my own joinery business.”

Darren has won two awards for his work - one when a student at college and the other for the National House Builders Council. He has already secured a number of contracts centred on home improvements and restoration. These includes restoring a 19th century house to its full former glory, and making bespoke door and window frames.

“In these challenging times we all know that most people are shying away from buying a new house, and are deciding to improve or restore their existing properties instead.

“Longer-term I will be looking to take on an apprentice to train and pass on all my joinery knowledge and skills, and ideally partner up with other trades to take on bigger contracts.”

To contact Darren email dpajoinery@live.co.uk or visit www.dpajoineryservices.blogspot.com.

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