More than 100 businesses have been set up in Crewe and Nantwich through the New Enterprise Allowance Jobcentre scheme.
These are among 80,000 start-ups set up across the UK, according to figures released by Department for Work and Pensions.
And they include businesses like Andrew Patterson’s.
After 25 years in the retail industry, he turned to the New Enterprise Allowance to help him launch his new business, Little Italian Van.
Now the freshly-brewed coffee van is fast gaining a reputation around Nantwich, Crewe and the rest of South Cheshire.
“There’s nothing better than having a customer come back and order a second cup of coffee because they thought the first one was so marvellous,” said Andrew.
The idea came after he attended the Nantwich Food Festival and spotted a coffee van doing a roaring trade.
“There was a long queue and it made me think that if they could run something like that, then I could too,” he added.
When Andrew was made redundant from his job, he decided to take the plunge.
Through the New Enterprise Allowance, he used his redundancy package to buy a van, fit it out, buy supplies and get his health and safety and food preparation certificates.
“I could see the changes the supermarket was going through, and a never-ending decline.
“I knew that only the people who jumped out and searched out new skills would be the ones who survived,” he recalled.
“At my time of life, you don’t get these opportunities very often.
“I’ve spent that much money on coffee over the years, I thought it would be nice for me to make some money by making good coffee for other people.”
Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “Small businesses are the engine room of the UK economy, and by helping people off benefits and to become their own boss we’re enabling them to make the most of the business opportunities out there at the moment.”
Start-up support from the NEA is available to people aged 18 and over and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support claimants who are lone parents or who are sick, and some UC claimants.
After showing their business idea is viable, NEA participants are eligible for a weekly allowance worth up to £1,274 over 26 weeks for claimants to establish their start-up.
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