Former Electrolux worker uses redundancy to drive own business

A FORMER Electrolux worker has used his redundancy to start a business developing the next generation of Lewis Hamiltons.

After losing his job at the plant in Spennymoor, County Durham, Andy Nelson has started a go-karting business for children.

It was racing go-karts where Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was discovered as a child by the McClaren team.

Mr Nelson , 43, joined Electrolux as an apprentice straight from school at 15, working his way up to project manager before leaving in July.

He said “The redundancy has given me the opportunity to reassess my working life and priorities – after 30 years in a factory it was time for a change.

“Now my life is more varied, I work flexibly and I see more of my family.

“Following Lewis Hamilton’s recent Formula One victory, kids are really interested in go-karts as that was how he started – they all think they are racing drivers.

“The inflatable mini-grand prix circuit has an arch and we really maximise the Formula One feel with a chequered flag and trophies. It’s great fun.”

Mr Nelson decided to work for himself after his wife, Alison, 41, established her Raring2go magazine franchise business, which is distributed in schools and nurseries, a year earlier.

Launched in August, the Go-Kart Party business gives children aged from four to nine their first real driving experience in safe battery-powered gokarts.

The red and yellow go karts and the 15mx11m inflatable track are fully portable and can be used indoors or outdoors.

Mr Nelson offers them for children’s parties, shows, fairs, fundraising and corporate promotional events.

The couple, who live in Fishburn, east Cleveland, and have two children, met when they both worked at the Electrolux plant 19 years ago.

On both their projects, they worked with local business development experts at Be Enterprising and Sedgefield Borough Council.

The public funded Be Enterprising offers start-up advice and support to residents of Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley.

Be Enterprising emerge business start-up advisor, Paul Appleton, said “They are both positive examples of what can be achieved by working for yourself.”

For more information about Go-Kart Party email anelson@go-kartparty.co.

uk For advice and information about setting up your own business, call Be Enterprising Emerge on 0800-030-4134.