Blackpool man digs in to see business take root

Fed up of short term jobs and offers of zero hours contracts, Aaron Dickinson decided to lay his own path to a stable job.

Thanks to Blackpool Council’s Get Started service, he set up AD Garden Maintenance, offering garden maintenance and commercial contracts across the Fylde coast.

He said: “I discussed with my partner, friends and family all the options and ideas we could think of and gardening stood out.

“I wasn’t sure where to start and contacted the Get Started team for guidance.

“They were a great help helping me get everything ready, planning how it would work and making sure I understood about self-employment.

“The council also supported me to access funding from the Start-Up Loan company – that allowed me to invest in professional equipment.”

One year later and Aaron, who lives in South Shore, says his new company is blooming: “The business has been going for nearly a year now and is really starting to grow at a steady rate. I am so busy now with bookings from Lytham to Cleveleys, I have next weekend of but then am working solidly for 12 days!

“A couple of times I have been ready to give up but my other half Amy has encouraged me to keep at it. She has been a great support keeping me focused.

“Now I’m very proud of what I’m doing and feel confident that the business ensures a secure future for me and my growing family.”

Coun Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Development, added: “For some people, starting a business can be grown out of frustration and a desire to become your own boss.

“That’s not an easy route to take and Aaron deserves credit for his hard work. We’ll be there to help him, and all of our other businesses, every step of the way so that they have the best chance of succeeding.

“88 per cent of the businesses that Get Started has helped in the last two years are still operating and in some cases, doing very well indeed. That’s because businesses can still benefit from our expert advice and support even after they are up and running.”