A mountain bike technician’s new business is flourishing thanks to a new start-up fund being offered in Caerphilly County Borough.
Peter Samuel set up Suspension Inc, based in Pontlottyn, with the help of the UK Steel Enterprise-backed Caerphilly Start-Up Fund.
His business is currently taking advantage of the huge boom in mountain biking, looking after and servicing the bicycles.
He has invested the grant in a workshop he currently works out of, and in the longer term plans to move into a business unit and eventually take on an apprentice to learn the skills of the trade.
He said: “[The grant] was very helpful and I am most grateful. It gave me the ability to buy tools and equipment I needed.”
Glyn Thomas of UK Steel Enterprise said: “Suspension Inc offers a skilled service to the community and also to visitors and we are delighted to be able to provide support.”
Councillor Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Development, said: “The Business Start-up Fund is indispensible for small businesses, who find it very difficult to access funds these days to get companies off the ground.
“A great many businesses have started as a result, which would otherwise not have been able to do so. We are very grateful to UK Steel Enterprise for their continued help in this regard.”
The UK Steel Enterprise cash is 50% match funded by the council.