Home | Your Council | News and communications | April news | April news
April news
Local firms bucking the economic trend
Not all businesses are struggling in the current economic climate - two local firms based at the city council's Victory Business Centre in Fratton are thriving despite the gloomy predictions.
New tenants Morstaff Woods Recruitment Ltd have only been trading for ten weeks but are already exceeding their turnover expectations, pulling in over £25,000. Providing temporary staff for local nursing homes, the company has focused on the demand for services geared to the needs of an ageing population.
Director Dave Morling runs the business with partner Sharon Woods and their previous experience and contacts in the industry have been key to identifying a gap in the market and getting off to a good start. Dave said: "We'd been thinking of the idea for a while and had learnt a great deal about running a business from our involvement in setting up 'Wheelie Sparkling Ltd'. It's been a lot of hard work, worry and heartache, but being your own boss and seeing the company grow so quickly has been incredible."
"Like most new businesses, cash flow has been our greatest challenge, but finding affordable start-up accommodation at the Victory Business Centre - which is central and accessible - has really helped keep at least one major cost to a minimum."
Another expanding tenant at Victory Business Centre is Just Clear Ltd. With the aim of 'making IT clear and simple' for small and medium businesses in the surrounding area, the company is finding increasing demand for their services from firms looking to cut costs and outsource their IT to focus on their own business.
Director Rob Barrett has found the key to success is cutting out jargon and only giving customers what they really need to solve problems and run their businesses. The company has just doubled the space they rent at Victory Business Centre and is now looking to take on more staff. But it's not all plain sailing: "Finding skilled people locally with the right personal skills has really been a challenge", said Rob. "And the increasing burden of tax on fuel and PAYE is not helping small businesses succeed. But running your own business is great. It's a mix of stress and enjoyment, but so liberating to know that at the end of the day, it's down to you whether you succeed or fail." Rob moved to Portsmouth eight years ago to study, and decided to base his company here to benefit from Portsmouth's great location by the sea, and accessible to the south of England with the M27 and M3.
Clare Seek from the city council's Enterprise Centres added: "These two businesses are clearly succeeding in spite of the present difficulties, proving that if you've got the right services and skills to meet demand, together with a positive attitude, there are no barriers to success."
To find out more about Portsmouth City Council's Enterprise Centres contact 023 9282 6225 or visit www.portsmouthbusinesscentres.co.uk
