Ray and Alison McGovern made contact with Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team in October 2012 with an idea to open a thrift shop in Church Street, Hartlepool
The initial business model was based around sourcing and stocking second hand items such as domestic appliances, combined with the possibility of a limited range of products and goods made by local craft businesses.
Over the next few months, Chris Butler Senior Business Development Officer for Five Lamps helped Ray and Alison explore a number of Hartlepool premises to find a location that combined good footfall, accessible parking and an acceptable rent.
Chris also helped Ray and Alison to develop a strong business plan and secure funding through a New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) Loan. Towards the end of the year they decide on a shop on Raby Road in Hartlepool and moved in just after Christmas.
These first few months have been very busy with Ray and Alison combining, being in the shop serving customers, building relationships with local suppliers and dressing/refurbishing the retail area and stock rooms.
When Chris visited the shop in mid May 2013, Ray and Alison explained how the business model was now very different to the original concept with the shop now stocking a wide range of gifts and products mostly made by local artisans.
Ray and Alison say that
“Working with Five Lamps was very useful not only in helping us secure some funding but also as a second opinion on the strength of our business model”
If you would like further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser, or if you would like to know more about the loan available through the scheme, then please contact Five Lamps on (01642) 608316.
The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.