Member Article

Former Tata Steel Worker Launches New Business

FORMER TATA STEEL WORKER LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS FOLLOWING KICKSTART FUNDING

A former Tata Steel employee has launched a Mobile Foot Care business after receiving £1,000 from the UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) Kickstart Fund.

Kevin McBride, who worked as a caster producing billet and slab at the former Tata Steel site in Scunthorpe for 37 years before being made redundant in March 2016, decided to launch the unique company after receiving inspiration from his physiotherapist son.

Now a qualified health practitioner, his business provides specialist care for feet including in-growing toe nails, thick toe nails, corns or callous and diabetic foot care.

Based in Scunthorpe, McBride Mobile Foot Care officially launched this year after the £1,000 grant from UK Steel Enterprise - a subsidiary of Tata Steel which provides funding and investment to companies and entrepreneurs in steel industry areas – enabled him to buy an electric drill that has a built in vacuum device for filtering toe nail and skin dust out of the air.

Kevin said “The support I have received from UKSE has made a huge impact on the service I provide. Toe nail and skin dust is breathed in by the patients in abundance, however this tool helps me to maintain a high professional standard of care.”

Launched in February 2016 the UKSE Kickstart Fund – working in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council and the Growth Hub to support those looking to establish a business in the area – provides grants of between £500 and £1,000.

Applicants also receive help and advice from local Growth Hub advisors and the Economic Development team at North Lincolnshire Council.

Regional manager at UK Steel Enterprise, Keith Williams, said: “We have been delighted to support Kevin to start his new business and forge a career away from the steel industry. Kevin has great enthusiasm and has gone about it in exactly the right way – obtaining the right training and experience necessary to provide a high standard of care.”

Launched in 1975, UK Steel Enterprise, a subsidiary of Tata Steel, support the economic development of steel industry areas, to this day it has helped over 6,700 businesses with investments upwards of £91m, and has created over 77,000 jobs.

If you are considering starting a business and would like to talk through your plans with a Growth Hub adviser or would like more information about the UKSE Kickstart Fund please contact the council’s economic development team on 01724 297330 or email businessinfo@northlincs.gov.uk.

UKSE also provides loan and equity finance of up to £1m to existing companies which are growing, particularly those creating jobs. If you are an established business which needs growth finance then please contact UK Steel Enterprise on 0800 915 1188.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Steel .