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From Bluecoat to media mogul
TWO former Pontins staff have gone from recession victims to recession busters.
Mark Kimber and Jae Corbett were not only made jobless by the demise of the leisure giant in Blackpool – they were also made homeless.
But the pair did not let it get them down and have launched a new creative company thanks to the skills they honed inside the Clifton Drive holiday camp.
It's just over 12 months since Blackpool Pontins closed its doors.
Last month the iconic holiday camp operator itself went into administration putting its five remaining camps and 850 employees' futures in doubt.
But the two young entrepreneurs have fought back and started Blackpool's newest media company, Athena Productions.
Mr Kimber, 29, originally from Yorkshire, and Mr Corbett, 31, from the Midlands, relocated to Blackpool several years ago to work in the holiday centre's on-site TV station.
Mr Kimber said: "Between us we managed Pontins TV.
"Our studio and all our facilities were based at the Blackpool centre so unfortunately when that closed we had some pretty tough decisions to make.
"We were given the opportunity to relocate to Southport or to take voluntary redundancy. It was tough but we could see the potential for business in Blackpool and we like living here."
Athena Productions offers video production, web design and graphic design services. The pair have secured funding designed to encourage new business and diversify the economy away from a dependence on tourism.
Mr Corbett said: "The first thing we did was go to the Enterprise Centre on Lytham Road.
"We spoke to some advisers down there and got some great advice, they went over our ideas and told us the problems we may face and what help was available for us.
"They even sent us on a course so we could learn how to set the business up properly.
"They ultimately pointed us in the direction of FYCreatives – the council's new business development hub. It has been a massive boost for us."
It's not been an easy start for the duo, their first client went bust owing thousands of pounds.
However, Athena now has a healthy order book for 2011.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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