Post date: Dec 06, 2010 1:14:40 PM
The culture of entrepreneurship in the UK is thriving despite the tough economic climate - London has seen a 91 percent increase in start-ups since 2008 and one new start-up Homemade London is cashing on the recession.
UK-START-UPS - A new business opens its doors in London's trendy west end.
Homemade London is a craft salon set-up by former television producer Nicola Barron.
She hopes her sewing classes will help people make ends meet.
Nicola Barron, entrepreneur and owner of Homemade London, saying:"I'd been working really hard sort of solidly for ten years in a position where I took voluntary redundancy, I saw it as an opportunity to reinvent myself and wanted to so something where I was creative passionate about."
It seems Britain's culture of entrepreneurs has remained relatively unscathed by recession.
Jason Stockwood is the CEO of insurance brokers Simply Business.
He says almost 50 percent of new applications this year are from start-ups less than a year old.
Jason Stockwood, CEO Simply Business, insurance brokers, saying:
"I think the conditions to start a business are easier than ever in terms of infrastructure, in terms of technology. I think the challenge is around finance, raising money for your business and complex taxation in the UK as well."
Nicola Barron, entrepreneur and owner of Homemade London, saying:
"It's definitely down to the recession that we can afford to start this sort of business no, we've got a prime west end location that I think would probably be quite hard for a new business to get in other times."
Nicola has enlisted the help of fashion designer Cecilia Chan.
And there's no shortage of customers keen to learn skills which could save them money.
Nadia, comedy writer, saying:
"I love crafting things, being able to see the progression from something that looked like nothing into a thing that you can show people."
Emma, textile printer, saying:
"Eventually I'd like to be able to be able to sell my products in shops around London and see where it goes from there really."
Cecilia Chan, fashion designer and craft tutor, saying
"So now you've got your cushion inside your cover, if you would like to hold them up and show everybody - is everybody happy?
Nicola's home-grown business is exactly what Britain's government is banking on to get the economy back on its feet.
And with their newly acquired skills in cushion making, you could be looking at the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.
Hayley Platt, Reuters.