A former alcoholic has turned a new leaf by opening up his own loft conversion business based out of his home in Little Hulton.
Andrew Williams, 54, who has worked as a gardener, joiner and general labourer over the last 20 years admitted he used to drink eight cans of beer every day after work.
But with the help of City West Housing Trust’s ‘Don’t Keep it under your Hat’ scheme, which provides skills workshops and grants to potential small business owners, he is looking for his first clients for his new business.
Andrew said: “It’s two years and five months since I stopped drinking.
“I used to finish work and drink eight cans, then one morning I just got up and I said, ‘That’s it, that’s me done for drinking’.
“I went a full 12 months without having a drink at all, then at that Christmas me and my partner shared a bottle of wine, and now I drink very occasionally.”
“I used to be controlled by drink, but now I control it.”
Andrew has purchased a variety of tools with the £500 grant, which he received from the housing company, including a complete tool set, specialist drills and a loft ladder set.
He is now looking at starting up on social media and is in the middle of creating a website for his company.
The housing association scheme allows participants direct access to winning business advisor Eric McBean, who assists the would be business owners in developing their business ideas before they pitch the concept to a panel of City West judges who decide if they will receive the grant.
Director of Business Transformation at City West Housing Trust, Lisa Scully, said: “We’re not looking for people to become the next Richard Branson but we have to make sure that the idea has legs.
“That’s why we work with Eric, so we know that the potential receivers of this grant have lots of advice and support from the start.”
Andrew is now keen to give back to the scheme which has helped him and has agreed to take on young apprentices for a few days’ work experience once he gets the business up and running.
Andrew will have a website up and running in the near future, but can be contacted, on 07468238637, for any sort of loft and garage conversions.
