A lifelong Newton Aycliffe resident and entrepreneur has been successful in launching a bathroom and kitchen installation business thanks to the GAMP Area Action Partnership’s flagship ‘Step into Business’ grant scheme.
Eddie Hall of E Hall Installations is Newton Aycliffe’s most recent resident to secure funding via ‘Step into Business’, a scheme set up by the AAP with the aim of helping residents obtain the funding and assistance that is essential to their business ideas.
The new business venture came after Eddie was made redundant from Husqvarna where he had worked as a Tooling and Process Development Technician for 4 years. In the current climate Eddie recognised people are now often deciding to extend and improve their homes rather than move and felt a business offering bathroom and kitchen installations could capitalise on this trend.
Eddie set about enhancing his existing skills base and focussed on plumbing, plastering and tiling. He secured funding through GAMP to complete the plastering and tiling courses whilst self funding the plumbing course. This has created a selling point for Eddie as he is now able to fit both bathrooms and kitchens without the customer having to arrange or wait for other plasterers and tilers.
Having completed the initial training GAMP were then willing to support Eddie further by contributing to the cost of his tools.
Eddie said “The support I have received from GAMP and South Durham Enterprise Agency (SDEA) has been invaluable. I have been able to develop my skills and also purchase the tools I need to carry out jobs. I was able to purchase a router and a number of saws that are essential to my livelihood and allow me to carry out jobs that previously I wouldn’t have been able to”.
Eddie is now running his business within the Newton Aycliffe area and beyond. You can contact Eddie on 07988 864 879 to discuss your requirements.
