Simon turns passion for having fun into a living

Apr 6 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A FORMER recruitment agency worker has followed his dream of making people happy by starting his own pub entertainment business.

Simon Duxbury from Fishburn in Durham decided to go it alone after encouragement from his fiancee Paula, who runs a T-shirt printing business.

His new enterprise, S&P Entertainment, puts on evening pub events such as karaoke, music quizzes, discos, Nintendo Wii nights and TV show games like Deal or No Deal.

The 26-year-old, who moved to the region from Manchester four years ago, said: “Business is booming, we do pubs, clubs and private functions and we offer so many different things, so there is something for everyone.

“When I lived in Manchester, a friend and I were regular DJs at local pubs and clubs. It was just a hobby really, but it was extra money.

“When I packed it in, he continued on without me and has done really well. So I thought why not do something that I enjoy and I know I’m good at? So I did.”

Mr Duxbury, who also plays the guitar and sings, received funding and support from the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and Be Enterprising. The groups work to inspire entrepreneurial young people living in deprived areas and can supply money to get good business ideas off the ground.

Mr Duxbury spent the money he received from Be Enterprising on equipment such as lights, music, speakers and microphones.

“The funding I received from Be Enterprising was easily spent, however you can’t put a price on the support and advice I was given. I could not have done this without them,” he said.

He turned to the group for help after his fiancee received funding to set up her T-shirt printing business.

“They were really helpful in getting her set up, so it was the ideal option for me when I thought about setting mine up,” said Mr Duxbury.

“It also links in really well for my business as she prints T-shirts for birthday parties and hen parties.”

Be Enterprising covers Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley in County Durham and is keen to hear from young people with strong business ideas who are seeking funding to get them off the ground.