A 12 months of lockdown: 27 nice North West companies that launched throughout Covid
A global pandemic may not seem like the best time to start your own business.
But that didn’t stop entrepreneurs from right across the North West taking the plunge and launching new products and services – and making a great success of it in the process.
As we reach a year since the UK was put into lockdown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, BusinessLive is running a series of features on how the world of business has changed, analysing what’s happened, and speaking to leaders to discover what they’ve learnt.
As part of that, BusinessLive North West has rounded up a list of 27 companies from across Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and further afield that were established despite the constant economic uncertainty.
They include everything from a mobile pizza business, to an axe throwing venue, to a firm putting on luxury cruises.
This list is far from exhaustive – have you launched or do you plan to launch a business in the North West, and aren’t included here?
Get in touch and email [email protected]
Twisted Loom
Twisted Loom launched during the first lockdown
(Image: Twisted Loom)
A Manchester and Cheshire-based furniture start-up is marking its first anniversary after being founded at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Twisted Loom is the brainchild of Charlotte Cochrane who turned her passion for upholstery into a business by turning her basement into a micro-factory during lockdown.
She said: “I spent a year planning to launch at the end of March 2020 and then lockdown hit.
“I decided to make a go of it anyway and regret nothing!
“Twisted Loom came about because I wanted to take my upholstery skills further and handcraft brand new pieces of furniture that will last generations.”
Dough & Go
Mark Gibbons and Danny Mead of Dough & Go
A pair of North West entrepreneurs have launched their own ‘state-of-the-art’ mobile pizzeria to provide takeaway services for rural communities lacking of restaurants and fast food outlets.
Dough & Go has been set up by friends Mark Gibbons and Danny Mead who, both having lived in rural areas, said they were frustrated at not being able to access amenities easily.
Their new business will serve traditional stone-baked pizzas which are hand stretched and made to order.
Mark Gibbons, director at Dough & Go, said: “We’d firstly like to thank everyone that has been involved in the business over the last 18 months. It’s not been plain sailing, but Danny and I believe that this time was well spent to get the concept right, giving us solid foundations to launch, progress and grow the business.
“We are currently working on exciting new locations for 2021 and will be helping to support more communities, local businesses and charities in the near future.”
Veincentre
Dr David West, medical director at Veincentre
The UK’s largest vein clinic opened in Liverpool during the pandemic and is now “riding the wave” that’s seen it experience a surge of enquiries during lockdown.
Based in the city centre, Veincentre is the country’s biggest specialist clinic and is run by Dr Previn Diwakar.
During the pandemic, the firm has received record numbers of enquiries from patients who have either been in pain with their legs after working throughout the lockdown, often on their feet for long periods of time, or individuals who have been hiding their legs and are now wanting to tackle their problem before all the restrictions are eased.
Dr Diwakar, consultant vascular and interventional radiologist at Veincentre said: “I’m looking forward to offering our help and advice to all the patients in our region who have been delighted that we’re now open.
“We’ve seen so many people who are shocked at just how painless and straight forward the procedure is and also how transparent we are with our pricing model.”
The Comms Guru
A Manchester-based internal communications agency aiming to help organisations deliver “kick-ass” comms has launched in the UK.
The Comms Guru, founded by ‘head guru’, Paul Heaton, wants to help improve internal communications for every businesses most important asset – their people.
Officially launched in mid-2020, The Comms Guru offers a range of solutions including internal comms health checks, strategy, events, training and comms video production.
Mr Heaton has over 15-years experience developing, leading and managing successful internal comms for small, mid-sized and global businesses.
He said: “2020 has been a unique time to start a new business, but the coronavirus pandemic has shown just how important internal comms are for organisations of all sizes. In fact, they’ve never been more important.
“We’re truly on a mission to help clients deliver kick-ass internal comms and engage their people through the right communications strategies, the best visual content, expert training and events.”
Jessica Doyle
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
(Image: Jessica Doyle)
Jessica Doyle, 29, from Liverpool set up her floristry business, Grasshopper Designs, during the first lockdown after being made redundant last year.
In 2019, Jessica was made redundant from her job as a wedding coordinator at the Constellations venue in the Baltic Triangle after the business closed.
Having met a lot of florists working in the wedding industry, she started to seriously consider it as a potential career move.
Jessica managed to gain experience working at a local florist and spent her redundancy pay on dried flowers to practice with at home while working part-time at a bar to pay the bills.
She said: “When lockdown hit, I was sat at home without a job and lots of dried flowers so I set up the Instagram page to start a portfolio of my work. I never expected the positive response I’ve had!”
With more people spending time at home during the pandemic, Jessica said they’re looking for something to brighten up their home space or sending flowers to cheer up friends and family.
She added: “It’s been an absolute rollercoaster as I’m sure it has for any business trying to deal with a global pandemic.
“I didn’t set up the Instagram page with much hope of it becoming a legitimate business so it’s far exceeded any expectations I had. I am so glad I started it and very excited to see what the future holds.”
Panache Cruises
Panache Cruises has been launched by a Bolton businessman
A luxury cruise firm has launched in Bolton creating 100 jobs for the sector and hoping to become top of the industry by 2025.
Panache Cruises, launched amid a global pandemic that hit the industry harder than most, has been established by local businessman James Cole, who has over 20 years in the sector – and is behind brands including Cruise118, Six Star Cruises and River Voyages.
The firm will initially employ a team of 15 in the North West, with the intention of creating over 100 jobs over the coming years.
James said: “The key question I am asked at the moment is why launch during this pandemic, when there are no cruise ships sailing?
“My response is that it’s not about what’s happening today, it’s about what will be happening in three, five or ten years from now, at which time the cruise industry will be bigger, more innovative and even better than it’s ever been.”
Hatchet Harry’s
Hatchet Harrys opens this week on Gibraltar Row
Last summer, an axe-throwing venue opened in Liverpool city centre.
Hatchet Harry’s opened in July on Gibraltar Row and hopes to bring a competitive league to the city in a bid to “stave off lockdown blues”.
Jack Beadle said: “It’s a strange time to be launching a business. Regardless we’re excited about it.. it is a funny time.
“We shouldn’t be doing what we’re doing… from the outside world it probably doesn’t look like it makes sense.”
However managing directors Jack, 32, and Richard Bridge, 32, are optimistic in the face of business worries and confident they can provide jobs for the city.
Low Season Traveller
Ged Brown, CEO of Low Season Traveller
Low Season Traveller has been launched by Mancunian Ged Brown with the aim of inspiring people to visit worldwide destinations during their ‘low seasons’ – claiming to be the first of its type.
Ged, who has 25 years’ experience in the global travel industry, said the launch has been timed to start the “rebirth” of the worldwide travel industry following the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “For the past two years, myself and the team have been working on this project with partners across the global leisure industry including tourism organisations, hotels, transport and visitor attractions.
“We are convinced that there is a real gap in the market for low season travel and the recent pandemic has only endorsed our view further.”
Next Level Strength and Fitness
Next Level Strength and Fitness team: Debbie, Damien and Leroy
A personal trainer fulfilled his long-held ambition to open his own gym against the backdrop of Covid-19.
Damien Ghafoor, 34, has worked as a personal trainer in Rochdale for the last three years and says he has dreamed of running his own training facility since his teenage years.
But towards the end of 2019 he joined forces with friends and now business partners Leroy Robinson and Debbie Atkinson to launch a new venture.
The trio are now set to open their new fitness centre, Next Level Strength and Fitness, on Monday July 27, two days after government lockdown easings allow the reopening of gyms.
Damien said: “Ever since I was a teenager I’ve wanted to own and run my very own sporting facility. I wanted somewhere that people can come to and enjoy exercising and be around like-minded people.
“We want to make people feel part of a family. A place where people don’t only rely on me to motivate them but know that when they turn up, others within the group will also help to get them over the white line.”
Macrame by Charl
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
(Image: Charlotte Redmond)
Charlotte Redmond, 31, from Lydiate started her macrame business, Macrame by Charl, in June only months after taking it up as a hobby.
Mum to a 16-month old boy called Max, Charlotte took up macrame – which she says is making pretty creations from the art of knotting with cord – in April and was delighted to sell her first item in June.
She opened an Etsy shop to sell her macrame plant hangers, wall hangings, dreamcatchers, earrings, keyrings and other “hippy boho” décor.
Before the pandemic, Charlotte lived in Japan for a year where her partner, Paul, who had a good job. But when coronavirus hit they made the decision to bring their small family back to the UK.
After returning, she admits to feeling “a bit lost” and so took up macrame while her son was sleeping.
It was then that the hobby turned into a passion and over time her skill in the art improved enough to consider starting a creative business.
She said: “I had noticed it was becoming a bit of a trend at the time. I would go to local home stores and see things like plant hangers being mass produced and sold, everybody was redecorating and buying new home décor pieces so I thought I would have a go and see if people liked the idea of buying something local and handmade.”
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Pura
Pura founders and Cheshire residents Guy and Abi Fennell, and baby Ezra
A company making 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable baby wipes, available in flushable and non-flushable versions was launched on Father’s Day.
Cheshire firm Pura said its ambition is to create products that help families “care for their baby now, while also caring for their future”.
The firm was founded by Guy and Abi Fennell who wanted to shake up the baby care market and “make eco affordable for all”.
Pura also announced Diversity star Ashley Banjo, a new father himself, as its first brand ambassador.
Pura co-founder Guy said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ashley to the Pura family. Like myself and Abi, he wants to motivate change and in doing so, leave the right legacy for our children.
“We would love to see everyone make the switch from plastic to plastic-free wipes. At Pura, we are working hard to make that happen.”
Vine Insights
A new search agency has been launched hoping to reveal how audiences are really behaving online.
Led by search expert, Jack Smithson, Vine Insights says it will take a “fresh approach” to helping brands stay relevant and connected to customers.
Based in London and Manchester, the “next generation” search agency focuses on rooting out customer needs and human behaviours to give communications strategies the edge.
Jack is a former content director at London agency, Curated, where he worked with brands including Specsavers, Essilor and Travis Perkins.
He said: “Our vision is to create a straight-talking agency that cuts out the jargon and focusses on real-life insights and the non-filtered picture.
“Too often, brands are led by the insta-version of what audiences want to project, rather than the reality. Within search, people have the freedom to be vulnerable, the ability to be educated and the desire to buy, all without judgement.
“If brands can understand the emotive triggers behind searches relevant to their products and services, they can create content that audiences want to see and engage with. It’s as simple as that.”
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Coração Consulting
Sam Johnson-Cuthell of Coracao-Consulting
A customer experience expert has launched a management consultancy business to help bosses looking to navigate through troubled times after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Sam Johnson-Cuthell has set up Coração Consulting to support business leaders looking to create “worthwhile customer and employee experiences” to transform their company performance.
Sam, who lives in Sandymoor, Cheshire, has more than 20 years’ experience in business management developing customer experience strategies, leading cultural transformation programmes, delivering training and coaching.
She said: “I love engaging with people both internally and externally, gathering feedback and insight, sharing ideas and coming up with innovative solutions that will really transform businesses and people’s lives.
“The world has changed beyond recognition due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through Coração Consulting I will help business leaders shape a stronger future in the recovery process and beyond.
Ben Wild Studios
A Manchester-based young entrepreneur and animator successfully secured a significant investment which enabled him to launch Ben Wild Studios.
The firm was co-founded by Ben Wild and local investor and businessman Andrew Morgan following a project together in October 2019.
The company has secured an impressive portfolio of clients including Manchester City Football Club, the BBC, Gucci and the Premier League.
Mr Wild, who has the title of chief dooler, said: “I can’t believe the reaction we’ve had since launching.
“The clients that we are attracting are giving us the most amazing briefs and opportunities and we’re so excited to see what the future holds for Ben Wild Studios.”
FANoty
FANoty, created by Dijon Moore
A brand new football app, created in Liverpool and billed as the “ultimate app for football fans” has been launched.
FANoty, created by Dijon Moore in partnership with city app design firm Apposing, is already proving a hit with fans of the beautiful game and is being embraced by clubs including Sheffield United and Norwich City.
The app, which was inspired by the “football banter” Dijon heard during the time he spent working as a Liverpool barman, combines a fantasy football element as well as news updates, quizzes and other interactive activity.
Unlike other fantasy football apps, users of FANoty, adopt their own teams and can compete against fans from other clubs.
JustMe
Fabiana Bolster, founder of JustMe
A new website and app for beauty providers and clients looking to make and take appointments 24/7 in North West has been launched.
JustMe is the brainchild of Fabiana Bolster, who wanted to find a solution to “constantly” booking appointments for her four daughters and not getting an answer over the phone.
It comes as work is on hold to complete her new beauty location due to the pandemic, and she has teamed up with her daughters Luana and Lorena.
MagiKats
Former Liverpool secondary school teacher Kirsty Maher has this month launched a new private tuition centre in North Liverpool
Former Liverpool secondary school teacher Kirsty Maher this month launched a new private tuition centre in North Liverpool.
MagiKats is an educational franchise offering maths and English tuition to school children in small group workshops.
The workshops will include a mix of teaching and practical work with all the work adapted to suit each child.
Kirsty, from Netherton, said: “I had always wanted to work with children.
“Starting a business is a daunting experience and yet I felt I would be really supported and helped to succeed which was important.
“I am committed to helping children achieve and meet their potential and my drive to provide this to my customers means that they can expect high standards of tuition from a reputable franchise.”
Trending Travel
Saffron Barker at the Grand Beach Hotel in Miami
(Image: Trending Travel)
Another travel firm, this time called, Trending Travel was launched during the lockdown by Keith Herman alongside co-founder, Sophie Foster.
Trending Travel sells package holidays with a focus on sending celebrities and influencers along to endorse the destinations.
Keith, CEO of Trending Travel, said the firm has already sent celebrities to endorse locations, including Love Island’s Jessica Shears and Dom Lever, Strictly Come Dancing’s Saffron Barker, model Felicity Hayward and actor Emma Barton.
He said: “We use our knowledge of travel and some very special contacts within the celeb and influencer world to create what the public want. People can now follow their favourite stars and we can give them the opportunity to enjoy the same experiences. We’ve made our website an engaging and cool place to come, not simply a place to buy a flight or a hotel.”
Jayne Kennedy Marketing
Wirral-based Jayne Kennedy
An award-winning Merseyside marketeer has launched her own business helping other firms align their strategies with their goals.
Wirral-based Jayne Kennedy will provide outsourced marketing support for businesses ranging from waste management to retail, with her freelance venture Jayne Kennedy Marketing.
Jayne said: “Creating a marketing strategy to communicate that a business is open, including any changes to the way in which a particular business is operating due to Covid Secure Government guidelines, is not only essential, it’s an opportunity to expand the reach of the potential customer base at this time.
Liz Taylor Consultancy
Liz Taylor
Event industry leader Liz Taylor, CEO of the Manchester-based Taylor Lynn Corporation, took the opportunity of unexpected time on her hands during the lockdowns to develop a consultancy company offering business development to the hotel, event venue and hospitality sector.
Liz said it turned out to be a “wise decision”, with Liz Taylor Consultancy securing in excess of £150,000 worth of new business in the last year and projecting to double this in 2021-22.
Running parallel to her successful event company, Liz provides brand consultancy to hotels, restaurants, event venues, catering and hospitality operators.
The client portfolio has boasted a mix of independent and branded businesses, including GG Hospitality’s Hotel Football and Stock Exchange Hotel, owned by football player turned entrepreneurs Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, Victor’s Restaurants, Tom Kerridge’s Bull and Bear, Lone Star Boutique Hotel & Suites – Barbados, and Feast Kosher Catering.
She said: “The idea of a consultancy was conceived in 2018, but the business was certainly born in lockdown. My labour of love!
“I had time on my hands and wanted to remain positive and focussed, so invested my energy into fully launching the company. Using my 35 years’ experience as a luxury event planner, and having worked within the wider hospitality sector, I felt that I could provide a unique insight into how an event venue or hospitality company could develop new revenue ideas to target the discerning buyer. Thankfully, clients loved the concept, and the business took off.”
Care for You
A retired Bolton bus driver who has designed a new medical gel cool pack to help alleviate pain for injured patients has turned his efforts to manufacturing an affordable and high-quality sanitiser for use in local hospitals.
Colin Lowe, 61, was in the final stages of establishing his new business ‘Care for You’ when Covid-19 began to spread across the country. His original product – a non-solidifying freezable gel – has been in development for more than a decade after Colin experienced a back injury in 2009 and wanted to find a better alternative to frozen peas and ice packs.
Using only three ingredients, Colin’s product has been developed with academic support from Professor Mohsen Miraftab and a team of researchers and medics at the University of Bolton, thanks to an introduction via GC Business Growth Hub.
Colin said: “It broke my heart seeing footage of nurses and care home workers crying because of the lack of provisions and the pressures they faced earlier this year. After seeing the cost of sanitiser triple in some cases as a result of coronavirus, I decided I had to do my bit and help out. It’s been a pleasure to bring together a team of experts who have helped me to tweak my original product concept and create a lower cost but high grade sanitiser option for medical services.”
Jerk an Juice
John Sheen has opened his new business Jerk and Juice during the pandemic
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool chef who opened a business in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic said “it is actually the best time” and has high hopes for the future.
Jerk an Juice, a takeaway restaurant on Windsor Street in Toxteth which serves African Caribbean fusion food and fresh juices, opened its doors on Monday.
Chef John Sheen only got the keys to the former Cafe Loco a few days before he decided to open but wanted to move quickly to “do something positive” for his local area.
He said: “We literally just rushed it open because people aren’t feeling good and we wanted to do something positive in the area.
“My partner Kelly works a few doors up in the hairdressers Gem’s, but they’re shut at the moment and she’s been helping me out.”
The Fermentation Station
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
(Image: Amy Yarker)
Amy Yarker, 29, from Mossley Hill started her business with her partner Sam in July.
Together they launched The Fermentation Station, a company specialising in making fermented, probiotic foods and drinks.
Amy said the business was originally a hobby of theirs they did at home – brewing their own Kombucha, Kefir and nurturing Sourdough bread starter.
Passionate about positive health and food sustainability, Amy believes the impact of the global pandemic together with the UK’s exit from the EU will change the way we consume food.
She thinks the current move towards a more plant-based diet, a growing interest in ‘healing’ foods and a greater demand for long-life products means that the lockdown period has proved a good time to start her business.
Amy said: “We launched our online shop and website only two weeks ago and we’ve been pleasantly surprised and a little overwhelmed by the initial orders. We’ve already got a couple of stockists across Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire.”
Gaby Mendes
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
Gaby Mendes, 25, from Wirral started her business, Talk Twenties, to help young people transitioning into adulthood with advice and equipping them with the skills they were not taught at school.
As a blogger and former teacher, Gaby said it was her own experiences going from her teenage years into her twenties that were her inspiration.
She said: “When it came to renting for the first time, starting a new job, or saving for your first home – it seemed obvious to me that there was a lack of support for young people to access.”
Ocular Media
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
(Image: Josef Hollywood)
Josef Hollywood from Wirral has had a passion for DJ’ing since he was 12-years-old and despite just turning 20, set up his video production and marketing company, Ocular Media, this year.
Still working in radio and having been involved with production on TV shows such as Hollyoaks and The A Word, starting his own company has always been a dream and something he saw as his next step.
Asked why he thought it was a good idea to start his business during the pandemic, he said: “I estimated that with more people at home, there would be an increase in the amount of time people would spend browsing social media and we all started to use it more to connect to each other in lockdown because we are all instinctively looking for a connection.”
Josef said friends and family have helped him to launch his business this year, from proofreading his website to listening to his business ideas, he has been grateful for their support throughout.
He said, so far, his hopes for the business have been exceeded and its growth over the past six months has been “phenomenal,” adding the company now has close to a dozen clients worldwide from Liverpool to London and New York.
Made Up to Move
Some people in Liverpool have seen the lockdown period caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the perfect time to start their own business.
(Image: Paula Watson)
Paula Watson, 43, from Garston was a full-time lecturer in sports and exercise psychology before starting her own company, Made Up to Move, in September this year.
Since then, she has continued to work part-time as a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University after launching her own business to help people develop a healthy relationship with exercise and physical activity.
Paula said: “For the whole of my adult life, I’ve been passionate about exercise and physical activity, and fascinated by how being active can make us feel good and has so many benefits.
“But at the same time, I’m conscious it isn’t always easy to be active – particularly for people who may have had bad experiences in the past, don’t enjoy exercise or may face personal barriers such as living with obesity or ill-health.
“When the pandemic hit, everyone kept asking me ‘do you still want to do this?’ ‘Are you sure it is the right time?’ But I was convinced this was the right decision, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Flerm
Chris Walker pictured with Benny and Mr Darcy
A dog rescuer from Merseyside is on a mission to disrupt the pet health sector by launching the UK’s first online flea and worm treatment subscription service that includes free 24/7 digital access to emergency vets.
Chris Walker, 40, unveiled his new business, Flerm, in December in a bid to give dog and cat owners an alternative way of taking care of their pets at home.
In another ‘first’, the service also includes a free annual health check – delivered by video call, as well as optional extras such as treats, multivitamins, toys and compostable poo bags or litter tray liners.
“I first realised that there was an issue in the pet protection sector during the pandemic,” said Chris, who owns two rescue dogs: Mr Darcy the Yorkshire Terrier and Benny the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
“I was queuing up outside our vets – wearing a face mask – waiting to collect the routine treatments my family relies on to keep our dogs safe and well. I felt sure there had to be a better way – one that meant people could have their flea and worming protection delivered direct to their door.”
