A Crosskeys man has realised a burning ambition to set up his own business after being made redundant.
Gareth Larcombe, a family man living in Pontywaun, used his redundancy money to retrain as a heating engineer and decided to specialise in installing and repairing eco-friendly log burners.
Larcombe Log Burners was established and Gareth is enjoying the challenges of running his own business.
He tapped into the support services on offer from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Advisory Services Team and received help to purchase equipment in the form of a Community Business Support Grant.
Gareth said: “I have always been practical and creative when working with my hands but have decided to concentrate my efforts on becoming a heating engineer.
“I’ve worked hard since being made redundant to gain the relevant qualification in order to set this business up and I’d like to thank the council and the other agencies that have helped along the way – their support has been invaluable.”
The Community Business Support Fund provides financial support to help eligible new businesses develop and grow. This is a flexible grant scheme delivered through a partnership between the council and UK Steel Enterprise.
UK Steel Enterprise’s area manager Andy Morris said: “With bank lending hard to come by, this type of fund is vital to get small businesses off the ground and we wish Mr Larcombe well in his venture.”
The fund is designed to help residents of Caerphilly county borough to set up a full-time business for the first time, where they are not able to access funding from any other source.
For more information on the council’s Advisory Services Team call 01443 866222 or email business@caerphilly.gov.uk