A start-up bicycle business was the first in the country to receive a visit from the new employment minister.

Damian Hinds visited Porterlight Bicycles in Tottenham on Wednesday, July 27, which designs smaller, lightweight bikes, and counts delivery service Deliveroo among its clients.

Porterlight founder Lawrence Brand used the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme to get the money and support he needed to get his business off the ground.

He said: “There was a huge amount to consider when I started, the financial and practical support made a real difference in helping me to get the whole thing off the ground.

“I would recommend anyone who is currently out of work and thinks that they’ve got what it takes to be their own boss to speak with their local jobcentre to find out how the NEA can help them in the same way it's helped me.”

Launched two years ago, Porterlight has just taken on its first member of staff and is now taking orders from France, Spain and Australia. 

During the event Mr Hinds cut the ribbon on Porterlight’s new premises where the bikes will be built using materials used in the aerospace industry.

The minister said: “The NEA is playing its part by giving tens of thousands of people the confidence and support that they need to be their own boss. 

“Porterlight is a shining example of what can be achieved, and I want to see ever greater numbers of people taking advantage of what this scheme has to offer.”  

The Government has pledged to create 3million more apprenticeships by 2020, and Mr Brand says he may take on an apprentice himself in the near future.