Uncle and nephew, Laurence and Paul Iley have over 50 years catering experience between them. When they both found themselves unemployed they decided it was time for them to start their own business rather than make a profit for someone else.
Laurence and Paul were introduced to Five Lamps business advisor Carol Sanderson through DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme. This scheme provides weekly payments to support new businesses in the first 26 weeks of trading. Right from the start Carol was impressed with Laurence and Paul’s community spirit, one of their main objectives was to provide work experience for the unemployed.
After discounting various premises Laurence and Paul chose Hartlepool People’s Centre, Raby Road, Hartlepool, as the ideal location for their venture because it had unused kitchen facilities and is at the heart of a busy community.
Carol helped Laurence and Paul complete a business plan and they started trading as Loll’s Café in October 2015. Since then they have taken on 4 unemployed members of staff as part of DWP’s Work Experience scheme.
Laurence and Paul said;
“We work well with other people as we also do outside catering. We work well with DWP work experience and if the referred person does well with us we refer them on to other businesses to get them in to full or part time work, it gives them the opportunity to gain work experience. Five lamps are the best people to help you start up in business.”
The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.