Chris Gibbons never dreamed that he would run a business, but he has been co-owner of Morello Services – a flat roofing company – for almost three years.
Based on the outskirts of Norwich, it has been doing well, securing contracts with the likes of the University of East Anglia and RAF Marham.
It’s definitely been an eye-opener,” he explained.
“Just the pressure of the job, running a business, from making sure you’ve got work, securing the work – it’s a very competitive market. You can’t switch off.”
Mr Gibbons said he was worried about the likely increase in the amount employers have to pay towards National Insurance.
Whilst his workforce had grown from six to twelve, he said a rise could lead to his company looking to save money by using more sub-contractors, instead of directly employed staff.
He also feared an increase in corporation tax, the tax companies pay on their profits.
“It’s an industry where lots of small businesses do go under, it’s high risk. We’re in a position where we could grow but we’re weighing up now that perhaps scaling back would be more sensible just to keep well within the threshold of Corporation Tax (and) minimise our risk.”