West Malling is soon to welcome new menswear store Monks & Co Clothing, offering unique edgy menswear brands including Religion menswear and Pearly King clothing, online and in store offering a personalised premium service to every customer. Founded by local entrepreneur Amy Barker, 24 from West Malling, who received a government funded Start Up Loan back in April 2013.
Start Up Loans celebrates its one-year anniversary later this month and has so far committed more than £40m to applicants, aged 18-30, and backed nearly 8,000 businesses including Monks & Co Clothing.
To celebrate the success of the scheme thus far, Amy Barker and other loan recipients were invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street last Thursday (12th September) to meet the Prime Minister and network with other business people including James Caan and Levi Roots.
David Cameron announced that additional funding of £34m has been allocated to The Start Up Loans Company and the news comes as a huge boost to the government-funded scheme, chaired by James Caan, which offers young entrepreneurs vital support to start their own businesses with a loan and a business mentor.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“I am determined to do all I can to support the British economy and that includes helping small businesses and budding entrepreneurs to get on. In the last two years we have helped tens of thousands of people to turn their ideas into a viable business, and this additional support will help thousands more.
“My message is simple: if you have drive, determination and are prepared to work hard, we will back you.”
James Caan, Chairman of The Start Up Loans Company, said:
“It’s great to see the Prime Minister recognising the continued success of the Start Up Loans programme by again, providing further funding to expand the initiative to enable many more budding entrepreneurs to receive start-up support. With the extra funding, I’m keen to see those over 30, former armed forces and returning mothers to work embracing their entrepreneurial spirit, turning their skills and passion into new businesses with the help of Start Up Loans.”
Monks Clothing LTD trading as Monks & Co Clothing is an online menswear store with a shop opening on Swan Street, West Malling Kent on 2nd November 2013. Monks Clothing was found by Amy Barker, 24, and Michael McMillain, 28, in July 2013.
Monks Clothing provides a premium and personalised shopping experience online and in store. ‘Run by people…not computers’ is the motto behind everything the store does, putting personality and tradition back into modern forms of retailing.
For more information or images please contact info@monksclothing.co.uk
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