A MAN who was made redundant last year has bounced back to set up his own business for the first time.

Joe Duncan, from Atherton, lost his job as an operations manager for a smart card company in November.

The 51-year-old has gone back to his routes as a plumber to start his own company, Flush It Plumbing, after receiving support from GC Business Growth Hub’s support programme, Start Smart.

As well as four sessions, Joe received personal support from one of the course’s business advisors Sheryl Clare.

Joe said: “I got to meet some great people through the course and it helped me to get everything set up properly.

“Sheryl was fantastic at identifying where I needed help most to make the business a success.

"She knows people use the internet and social media nowadays to find a workman, so we spent time making sure I had the skills I’d need so I wouldn’t miss out on customers.”

Joe was also informed about the New Employment Allowance, which is available to people in his position.

Self-Employment project manager from GC Business Growth Hub Janine Richardson added: “When we see people like Joe achieve what he has it’s immensely satisfying to know that the programme has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

“Joe found himself in a position that a lot of people have found themselves in recent years; losing his job through no fault of his own.

"Nevertheless he has took stock of his career, thought about what he had enjoyed doing earlier in his professional life, revived those skills and turn them into a viable business."