A FORMER apprentice has bought part of the company that gave him his first start on the careers ladder.

Vernon Hill was 17-years-old when he was laid off from his welding job and offered a role as a trainee at The Woodfloor Company in Darlington to 'help tide him over'. Now aged 23 the ambitious entrepreneur has bought the restoration and maintenance division of the company from his former bosses.

He told The Northern Echo: "I always wanted to go it alone so when the chance came up I just grabbed it with both hands. You cannot just sit around waiting for things to happen for you - sometimes you need to make them happen yourself."

Floorestore now has an order book that is nearly full for the next two months and a client list which includes prestigious hotels such as Rockliffe Hall and Crathorne Hall, and has sanded and maintained the wood flooring of pubs, clubs and households across the region.

After learning his trade at The Woodfloor Company Vernon and his cousin Andrew Hill bought leads from their former employers until the point where they had sufficient cash to acquire the business themselves.

Vernon Hill added: "It is a great feeling. We feel really proud to have taken things this far and we just want to keep building the business even further. Who knows where we can take it?"

His former bosses Tom and Sarah Cockerill noted Vernon's potential from the outset.

Mr Cockerill said: "He was always very eager to learn and a hard working lad. Customers would give us good reports about him which is a positive sign. We are the type of business that thrives on our reputation and word of mouth. It was obvious that he wanted to take things to the next level and no one could be more delighted than me to see him flying now - he will make a success of it I'm sure."

Handing the reins of the maintenance side of the business to their former trainee has enabled The Woodfloor Company to concentrate on supplying and fitting domestic and commercial clients with everything from traditional parquet flooring to more contemporary finishes. The Whessoe Road firm has worked at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, laid down the dance floor at the art deco-style Tindale Towers, near Bishop Auckland, and has clients including sports clubs, local schools, nightclubs and pubs. It has has even worked for celebrities, including chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay and broadcaster Janet Street Porter.

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