A Derbyshire entrepreneur has secured a business loan to help develop his mobile fish delivery company.
Ken Freeman, 39, from Cavendish, who owns ‘The Fish Van’, sells fish at local markets, as well as delivering in and around Derby. He received a loan of £10,700 from Small Loans for Business (formerly EnterpriseLoans East Midlands).
Established by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and managed by First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA), Small Loans For Business provides start up and existing businesses with loans of between £3,000 and £20,000.
Ken gained six years experience working at London’s Billingsgate Fish Market, while studying Crime and Social Policy at university. He used the loan to purchase a refrigerated van, which he will trade from and refrigeration equipment to store supplies of fresh fish, delivered from a wholesaler in Grimsby. He is also operating from static sites at the Cavendish, Allenton and Burton-on-Trent markets.
Ken said: “I started working at Billingsgate market to help support myself through university, but I enjoyed it so much that it became my full time job when I finished my degree.
“When I moved back to my home town, I saw an opportunity to use the skills and knowledge of selling fresh fish I’d gained to set up my own business.
“I’m already trading from a mobile trailer, but the loan from Small Loans for Business has allowed me to buy a better equipped vehicle for all of the door to door visits. I have been test trading for the past six months and business is going really well. I’ve even secured an agreement with Derby Homes to trade at their 24 sheltered housing schemes every week!”
“I’m thrilled that Ken’s hard work and dedication seem to be paying off and that Small Loans for Business has played a part in helping to further develop his business,” said Quamar Zaman, Chief Executive of FEBA.
“Ken has a good platform to develop his business. He has already established himself within the local area and his personal drive and enthusiasm should see the business succeed.
“If you do apply for a small business loan, you can get help and support with your application, but it’s important that you are prepared and organised. Getting your loan approved depends on how well you present yourself, your business and your financial needs.”
Mike Carr, emda’s Executive Director of Business Services, added: “Securing finance to help you start a business or develop an existing business is often the biggest challenge for people like Ken. This makes initiatives such as Small Loans for Business crucial.
“I would encourage people with determination and viable business ideas to contact a Business Link advisor and find out about the range of support services available to them.”
Small Loans for Business is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
To find out about the support available for businesses, contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands
For more details about Small Loans for Business, telephone 0845 602 7355.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of emda by Lava. For further information please contact:
Matt or Louise at Lava on 01522 842 800 or matt@lavapr.co.uk/ louise@lavapr.co.uk/
