Case Study : Aqua Gas and Heating Services - Craig Fulcher

Be Enterprising is a government funded programme and is supported by additional investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It was created to inspire enterprise and bring about positive and measurable changes in the unemployment hotspots of County Durham. Since it started in 2007 the programme has helped people in County Durham communities to start up over 1,000 new businesses.

Craig, 37, said: “I worked at Unipress UK as a fork lift truck driver for over 20 years. I left Unipress because I wanted to educate myself and start my own business, after I left I took a self funded domestic natural gas, central heating and water heating installation and maintenance course at NETA training group in Stockton.

“I decided that after working for someone else for such a long time, I thought that I’d rather work for myself.”

Craig, who lives in Wingate is a ‘Gas Safe’ registered gas engineer and offers various services through Aqua Gas and Heating Services from installations and servicing to repairs of heating appliances. He also covers all aspects of plumbing services.

Steve Souter, Craig’s Be Enterprising coach, said: “Craig approached us after completing a domestic natural gas course. Craig was certain that he wanted to go it alone, so we were able to give him a grant to help him buy all the tools required to get a gas fitting business off the ground.

“Be Enterprising is committed to helping people living in County Durham to start their own business, it can be a great way to get back into work after a period of unemployment or redundancy. Craig has been dedicated and hard-working from the beginning, I wish him well for the future, I’m sure that his business will be a real success.”

Importantly, Steve provided additional support and advice on Craig’s Business Plan and guided him throughout the entire planning and legal process.

Craig said: “I’m really grateful for the support that I have received and business has been going great. I’ve been really busy these past weeks, but I’m always on the lookout for new business. I will go anywhere there is a job, near or far.”

Anyone living in County Durham who would like support making their business idea a reality may be eligible for support from Be Enterprising. For more information call 0800 030 4134 or visit www.be-enterprising.biz.