A FORMER soldier from Warrington has become the 3,000th recipient of a start-up loan from the British Business Bank through its partnership with X-Forces Enterprise.
Phil Williams spent nearly 17 years in the Royal Dragoons Guard regiment but has now returned to his home town to set up a Thai restaurant with his Thai partner, Chanisara.
It has all been made possible through the loan he received from the Start-Up Loans programme and X-Forces Enterprise – part of the British Business Bank.
Phil was the 3,000th military entrepreneur to receive a loan through the scheme which has provided £33.5 million of finance, supporting 3,000 businesses and creating around 10,000 jobs.
Phil and Chanisara have only just opened their Krapow Thai Restaurant and have already created eight jobs.
At first they ran a market stall but the loan has enabled the pair to open their restaurant in The Hive, off Sankey Street.
They had spent five years looking for a suitable restaurant site.
Phil is proud to be a veteran and at the market stall offered a 10 per cent discount to members of the Armed Forces.
He said: “I heard about Start Up Loans from the business owner next door. Getting the finance has helped us to buy the kitchen equipment, pay tradespeople and buy fixtures and fittings for the opening.
“The best thing about being a business owner is not having a boss – except the girlfriend!
“The military skills I lean on are perseverance, patience, listening and getting advice – if I don’t know something, I speak to someone who does. Teamwork has been vital in managing the restaurant refit.
“We had a lot of enquiries before we opened and have been booked up ever since we finished fitting out the restaurant. Now we’re looking to do even more as we want to have a barman doing Thai cocktails.”
Richard Bearman, managing director, Small Business Lending, British Business Bank said: “We’re delighted Start Up Loans has supported 3,000 veterans from the Armed Forces community to start businesses across the UK.
“X-Forces Enterprise is one of our most successful partners, whose supportive model helps us provide opportunities for Armed Forces members and their families to turn their business dreams into reality.
“We wish Phil and Chanisara all the best with their Thai restaurant and the exciting expansion it represents from starting as a market stall.”
