RATHER than sit on her hands after three months of unemployment, Safiya Ugradar set up her own events business and is now looking to recruit 20 casual staff to help her booming enterprise.

The 23-year-old mum raised cash from friends and relatives and used the government’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme which provides help, advice and small loans to create Everlasting Moments Ltd.

Launched in April, it organises weddings, parties and other events covering everything from stationery and decorations to staging and food.

Safiya now employs two full-time staff and needs occasional part-timers to meet her bulging order book.

She is full of praise for the NEA, run by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, which provides expert mentoring and financial help to guide unemployed would-be business people referred by their local Jobcentre.

Speaking from her Whalley Range base, she said: “ I was made redundant in January and decided to fulfil my dream of running my own business. I wanted something that fitted round having a three-year-old son and family life.

“I had always organised things, so running events seemed a natural thing to do.

“We run three or four weekend weddings, parties and other celebrations.

“We do anything from a few dozen to up to 1,000 people. We do all types of weddings but a lot of people in Asian heritage come into our showroom when looking for clothes and other items in Whalley Range.

“I am now looking for up to 20 casual staff to help set up and act as waiters.”

When Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee confirmed her permission to use unit five at Brookhouse Access Point for her business, chairman Dave Smith and Bastwell councillor Parwaiz Akhtar praised her initiative.

Chamber of commerce chief executive Mike Damms said: “Mrs Ugradar is a fine example of how the NEA helps people with initiative set up their own business.”