18 April 2001

NEW DEAL HATCHES "EGGSTRAORDINARY" NEW BUSINESS

TWENTY-seven-year-old Nicola Shanks from Seaforde has hatched herself a dream career, through the government’s New Deal programme.

The County Down lass, recently started up her own business, "Farranfad Eggs" selling hen and duck eggs to local households.

Nicola’s New Deal Personal Adviser at Newcastle JobCentre, Dermot Doran, welcomed the business venture:

"Nicola first signed up to New Deal in March 2000 having previously completed a business course run in conjunction with LEDU and the Down District Council.

"A business plan had been developed and New Deal gave Nicola the chance to test the water with a period of test trading, which is one of the options available under the programme. The rest is history - after six months of test trading the business was so successful that Nicola was able to move into self employment."

Nicola is thrilled with the success of "Farranfad Eggs". She says: "I had worked in offices but came to realise that I was an outdoor person. My father had kept chickens and ducks and therefore I developed an interest in this area from an early age.

"Now what was formerly a hobby has developed into a business venture and a whole new way of life. New Deal not only gave me the opportunity of setting up my own business, but also offered me the security of test- trading.

"As the number of regular customers for "Farranfad Eggs" began to expand I realised that there was a large market for free-range eggs. I now have over 500 hens and ducks producing between 120 and 200 dozens eggs a week. So it really has turned into a full time occupation."

Nicola is reluctant to count her chickens before they hatch, but is cautiously looking into ways of expanding "Farranfad Eggs". Among other things she is exploring new markets and considering breeding her own chickens.

New Deal could "hatch"’ an "eggsciting" new career for you, for further information contact Freephone 0800 353 530.

For further information, please contact Simon Burrowes on 028 9025 7831.