A window of opportunity 27.05.2009
A window of opportunity has been opened for a Colne businessman, after receiving support and advice from No Limits.
Defying the recession Seamus Brennan has seen his company, Everlast Windows, grow from a small operation to an expanding enterprise, with even bigger plans for the next 12 months.
He said: “Everlast was established in 2005. We were operating from my driveway, and happy to stay that way, and then I had a business proposal from Pendle Windows.
“They had plans to close and approached me to buy their machinery, assets and site. It was a good opportunity but it was a big step to take and something I hadn’t planned on doing.”
Then an advert on local radio station 2br gave Seamus the boost he needed.
“We were snowed off early last winter and I heard the advert for No Limits on the radio, so I decided to make the call. I can’t believe how fast we’ve progressed since that day; by 1st March 2009 we were up and running.”
Seamus called No Limits and told them of his situation and they signposted him to their Finance for Growth project who support business development and expansion with a range of grants.
They also told him about fellow No Limits partner Constructing the Future (CTF) who would be able to provide them with specialist industry advice and support.
“Having that initial money removed a lot of the risks and the advisers gave me the encouragement and support to go for it.”
After taking on the Pendle Windows site Seamus then began working with CTF, who as well as providing a grant for computers, signage and glass cutting software, helped out with free advice, and help to develop skills.
CTF and Finance for Growth are just two of 12 projects in No Limits, which has secured an initial £30m to regenerate the Pennine Lancashire economy through supporting new and growing businesses, creating up to 13,000 jobs and 4,000 companies over the next decade.
The CTF programme supports growth in new and existing construction businesses, contributing to Elevate’s overall aim to rejuvenate Pennine Lancashire’s housing market.
“I didn’t have any big ambitions when I established Everlast but in the last few months we’ve gone from one employee to seven and we’re manufacturing as well as installing which is something I never envisaged.
“Without all No Limits support the business wouldn’t have gone beyond a basic concept - they’ve been priceless. Looking to the future we want to move into our own premises over the next 12 months; things are expanding far too fast for our current premises,” he concluded.
Donna Marshall project lead for CTF said: “We were glad we could support Seamus’s business, after helping him realise the potential for Everlast the business can now grow from strength to strength.
“This is a great example of how No Limits operates, partner projects working together to help support every aspect of new and growing businesses in Pennine Lancashire.”
No Limits works with partners including the county council, the local authorities of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle as well as Burnley FC, Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers.
To learn more about how No Limits can help start and grow a business, call 0800 612 2029 or visit www.no-limits.org.uk
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