A CYCLING enthusiast has started his own business thanks to council and enterprise agency-backed business improvement schemes.

Gary Ewing, owner of Inspiral Cycles received funding from a business improvement grant to help him and his wife, Fiona set up shop on Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland in March this year.

The funding provided by Durham County Council, and available to all the county’s businesses until March 2016, helped him get started.

Gary said: “With being a keen cyclist and having worked in the biking industry, I knew I had the experience and skills to set up my business in my home town. The money really helped us with the large investment required to make my dream a reality.”

The council’s scheme in Bishop Auckland aims to revitalise the town by helping to refurbish local business premises and bring empty spaces back into use.

Entrepreneurs or business owners in Bishop Auckland can apply for up to £10,000 to help them make improvements to their current business or to help set up a new one.

Work can include repairs and redecoration of windows, doors, signs, rendering, brickwork and shutters. It also includes improvements to gable ends, rain water goods, disabled access and funding for staff training.

Mr Ewing also received help with business planning via a Secure Business Scheme grant from the South Durham Enterprise Agency and the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership. The grant provides funding to upgrade security systems as well as helping business to plan for the future.

For more information about the Business Improvement Scheme, call 03000-262-052.

Contact South Durham Enterprise Agency on 01388-776688 for a security grant.