Success Story
| Region/Nation | East of England |
|---|---|
| Programme | Start Up Loans |
Peter Rogers took out a loan of £10,000 in 2021 to launch Silverbirch Woodcraft, an online store selling bespoke and restored handmade furniture.
Having worked as a pastry chef for decades, he found himself unemployed at the start of the first lockdown.
He used the opportunity to start restoring furniture from his brother’s garage and, delighted to be using his hands in creative work again, the project snowballed into a fully-fledged furniture business. Coinciding with the pandemic and an increased demand for bespoke furniture as people spent more time at home, Peter has paid himself his first cheque after just six months of operating.
Being launched into unemployment allowed Peter the chance to make a change which he’d been milling over for some time. He knew he was creative, good with his hands and had always wanted to work with wood. He broke himself in with work for family members and then set up a small Etsy shop.
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Restoration of Wales’ last working windmill sees sails turn again on Ynys Môn. Melin Llynon is restored to former glory following funding from Isle of Anglesey County Council and British Business Bank
Read a success story about BKW CrossFit
A group of four friends have joined forces to launch BKW CrossFit, a new community-based gym in East Bristol, with the help of a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank.
Read a success story about Krapow Thai Restaurant
Phil enjoyed a 17-year career in the British Army. He met his Thai partner Chanisara seven years ago and that sparked their dream to open a restaurant together. Chanisara started serving her cuisine with a Thai food stall in the town’s central market and discovered that demand was high for her freshly made products. The Start Up Loan of £24,000 they secured via X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) was key to making their dream a reality.
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