Good News Story Update: Harpers bar goes from strength to strength

10th January, 2012

Good News Story Update - Harpers Bar goes from Strength to Strength

Brenda Turnbull, Five Lamps' Employability Team Leader recently visited Harpers Bar to see how the business is getting on.

Since opening her bar six months ago, Jackie Poppleton has gone from strength to strength. As well as its local regulars, Harpers Bar is catering for birthday parties and many other functions. In November 2011, a bonfire party went really well and the Xmas festival saw 14 live bands playing in one night.

Jackie has lots of ideas for the future of her bar but her main passion is to promote live music and wants it to become one of Stockton’s main venues. She is keen to promote it to bands and is offering a regular Friday night slot to 3 local bands. She has opened up the upstairs as a place for bands to practice and is already being inundated with calls.

Other plans for this year include the expansion of the food side of the business, this will include in-house and mobile catering.

Brenda has been in regular contact with Jackie to help her with any recruitment requirements. One of the people she originally took on through Five Lamps is still working for her as the evening DJ. Jackie is now in a position to take on other Five Lamps customers to work in the bar, kitchen and also cleaning.

In addition to Harpers Bar, Jackie also runs a security business and because of the relationship built with Five Lamps she is offering 5 positions as door supervisors to Five Lamps customers. This is a total of 11 jobs to start in the very near future.

Jackie said “I am so grateful to Five Lamps. Brenda has helped me with funding and recruiting the staff and without that support I could not have done this”

Harpers Bar now has its own website and Facebook page www.harpersbar.co.uk

January 2012

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 Good News Story - Harpers Bar opens with Five Lamps help

Jackie Poppleton,42 from Stockton was first referred to Five Lamps from Shaw Trust.

Jackie had been claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as she had a serious back injury and could no longer continue her work in the security business.

Jackie had always had an ambition to run her own pub; her dream become a reality when an empty bar in Stockton became available. Jackie approached Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team to see what support was available. She attended Five Lamp’s enterprise workshops which she found extremely useful. Jackie also had regular appointments with Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Business Development Officer who gave her practical help, advice and supported her through the process of starting her business.

Once she was in a position to take on staff, Chris referred Jackie to Five Lamps’ Employability Team. Brenda Turnbull, Five Lamps’ Employability Team Leader met with Jackie to discuss her recruitment requirements.Jackie wanted to give other unemployed people the same opportunities she has had.

Jackie now employs 7 previously unemployed people who were signed up to Five Lamps’ Community Fund contract in Stockton. Jackie is also going to give a young person from the Community Task Force project a 13 week work placement.

Five Lamps will continue to support Jackie and her staff with further training and development opportunities.

Jackie said “Without Five Lamps help and support I could not have done this. They gave me the confidence I needed to fulfil my ambition”.

Harpers Bar is situated at Dovecot Street, Stockton Town Centre and has recently opened for business. Five Lamps wish Jackie and her staff every success.

Download this Good News Story (PDF)

May 2011

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