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Wheels of fortune for teenager's bicycle business
A YORKSHIRE teenager has set up an innovative bicycling business using recycled seatbelts to make pedal straps.
Nathan Hughes, 19, from Bingley, set up Restrap in March after spending a year as a self-employed graphic designer.
As a keen cyclist, he could see a gap in the market for a cheaper and more durable pedal-strap which, after a few failed designs, he was able to launch.
He said: "The fabric works perfectly; it's hard-wearing, cheap and environmentally friendly. If you buy one, it's basically a lifelong product. I source the seat belts locally from scrapyards in Bradford and make the straps by hand." Mr Hughes has sold 700 pairs of straps through seven shops and is on course to turn over between 10,000 and 15,000 this year. He hopes to double or even treble this figure in year two.
"Already I am having to think about taking on staff. I am also thinking I might have to send production abroad to keep up with demand."
Mr Hughes was helped by The Prince's Trust, which he approached in November last year. He applied to the trust's Enterprise Programme, funded by Bradford Council's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and was awarded a 1,800 loan after putting his idea to a panel of corporate experts.
He used the money to buy start-up materials, equipment and advertising space. He has also set up a website, www.restrap.co.uk. He said he had encountered one minor hitch, however, with it sometimes difficult to find the right material. "The main problem is that we are going so fast that we cannot get enough seat belts. You find that a lot of scrap yards are a bit wary of dealing with a 19-year-old."
Mr Hughes has been assigned a Prince's Trust mentor to help him through the first few years of trading and said he had been particularly helpful as he considers production abroad. He added: "It's great being my own boss. I've always wanted to work myself and hopefully this is just the beginning."
The Prince's Trust is offering unemployed young people from Bradford the chance to explore the idea of starting a business. It will be holding information sessions in the town today and on September 30.
The trust aims to support more than 4,000 young people in this region this year. They are typically those who are long-term unemployed, are in or leaving care, have struggled at school or have been in trouble with the law.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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