Zoe Angus first came to see Chris Butler, Senior Business Development Officer at Five Lamps in August 2012 looking for some advice on her idea of opening a shop in Middlesbrough
Zoe’s vision was to provide quality fashion clothing and accessories aimed primarily at plus size women and girls.
She had been working with other agencies but was looking for a second opinion plus help finalising her business plan and help applying for the New Enterprise Allowance program.
After a few weeks it became clear that, for all sorts of reasons, the Middlesbrough location might not be the best option so Zoe started to look closer to home in Hartlepool.
With Chris’s support Zoe approached Hartlepool Enterprise Centre at Brougham Terrace who helped her secure a six month rental on a stall in the indoor market hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre.
Her new business plan was based on this busy Hartlepool location and she started trading in late November 2012, in plenty of time for the Christmas period.
These first few months have been hectic as Zoe established her business, and started to win a regular base who love her clothes and accessories and tell their friends and families.
On the day that Chris visited her stall recently, despite the rain outside, Middleton Grange was very busy with shoppers and passing trade.
Zoe’s stall is in a great location and is the biggest in the market hall allowing her to display her great range of products to full advantage.
Zoe said
“Working with Five Lamps was very beneficial in giving me another source of help and a second opinion. I really valued their honest, objective advice”
If you would like further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser.
The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.