0:00:02 > 0:00:04From waste and recycling
0:00:04 > 0:00:07to pest control and Trading Standards...
0:00:08 > 0:00:12..the taxes that we pay to our local councils are used to provide
0:00:12 > 0:00:14many of our most essential services.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18I like people who are keen to recycle.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20In this series, we follow the front-line staff
0:00:20 > 0:00:24working behind the walls of Tameside Town Hall in Greater Manchester.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Like council officers across the country,
0:00:28 > 0:00:33these local heroes are waging war on those blighting our communities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- Oi! Oi! Oi!- Excuse me. - Excuse me, love, you can't do that.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38They're protecting us from hidden dangers...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40If there's rodent activity in your kitchen
0:00:40 > 0:00:42you won't be opening tonight. It's that simple.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..making sure our cash is spent on those who need it most...
0:00:45 > 0:00:49I'm at a loose end. I do not know where to turn.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..and responding to their residents when they...
0:00:52 > 0:00:53call the council.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Coming up, the council responds to a resident's call for help
0:01:04 > 0:01:06when cockroaches invade her flat...
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Look at them all coming out now.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13..and give the local economy a kick-start by helping entrepreneurs
0:01:13 > 0:01:15turn their dreams into reality.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Is this a business we should be investing in?
0:01:18 > 0:01:19One, two, three.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21THEY CHEER
0:01:30 > 0:01:33From waste management and bereavement services
0:01:33 > 0:01:37to road maintenance and pest control, across the country,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39almost two million local council employees
0:01:39 > 0:01:42are working hard with one aim -
0:01:42 > 0:01:43to serve their community
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and put public money to the best possible use.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Hello. Environmental services. Phil Rodgers speaking.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Officers at Tameside Council in Greater Manchester are no different.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59At the council's HQ,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02every department has a team of experienced officers who are
0:02:02 > 0:02:06ready and able to respond to calls for help from their residents.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07'It's like any job.'
0:02:07 > 0:02:09It's like a rat job, a cockroach job, a flea job or anything.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12No matter how bad that particular customer makes it sound,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14'you've got every confidence in the stuff that you use
0:02:14 > 0:02:17'and everything, you know that you will get it under control.'
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Be it bed bugs, mice, rats or cockroaches,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25council pest control teams the length and breadth of Britain
0:02:25 > 0:02:29are primed to deal with residents' pest-related problems.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33In Tameside, Katie Brown's home is overrun with fleas
0:02:33 > 0:02:35so she's called the council.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39I had a kitten and there's lots of cats in the area
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and it seemed to get fleas and I've tried treating the cat a few times.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The cat has since left and moved in with one of my neighbours
0:02:46 > 0:02:49but I just keep finding fleas everywhere.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51My youngest, she's three.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53She's got, like, bites on her legs
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and she's obviously been scratching them so now they've gotten sore.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58It's not very nice for her.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- SHE SHUDDERS - They need to go.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Katie's flea infestation is top of pest control officer
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Brian Whelan's list of jobs to tackle today.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I feel sorry for the poor animals cos nine times out of ten
0:03:11 > 0:03:15they blame the animals straightaway and it's not always the poor animals.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18You could go into a shop, someone stands next to somebody,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21you could go on a bus, you can go...anywhere.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23You could be in a pub, you could be anywhere,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and a flea could land on you and not necessarily bite you straightaway.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29It can take up to 24 hours for a flea to bite you.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Touch wood, I've never took any home.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34I've never took any fleas home or anything.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36So I must be doing something right.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Armed with his insecticide,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Brian cracks on with the job in hand.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53Is there anywhere that's particularly bad or is it just all over?
0:03:53 > 0:03:59- Mostly my room and probably the living room.- Right, no problem.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05The insecticide has a low toxicity that won't harm any children
0:04:05 > 0:04:09or pets but it will interrupt the fleas' life cycle.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I'm just getting the coverage over the floor as best we can.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Once it's dried, you don't have to hoover for at least ten days.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Especially with having three kids.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27On some of these wooden parts, it might dry white
0:04:27 > 0:04:30but don't worry about it, it will mop off, yeah?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Fleas are most commonly brought into our homes by cats and dogs.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Once resident, they multiply fast.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Females can lay up to eight eggs after every feed they have on blood.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46These eggs hatch in just two days.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54To reduce the chances of having fleas, you should vacuum regularly,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58wash bedding often and make sure pets are groomed frequently.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I vacced it and put my own spray down
0:05:00 > 0:05:01but it just doesn't seem to do anything.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Did you hoover up next day, two days later, something like that? Yeah.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07You tend to find a lot of people do that when they do it themselves.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10They don't leave the poison down enough, the insecticide,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13and what happens is all you're doing is your sucking it back up.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Chances are, you would have killed some but not all, obviously.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But if the situation gets too bad, you could call experts like Brian.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24The most important thing is to get the most coverage for fleas.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29If you can get everywhere, all the floors, all the junctions.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- I'm glad I cleaned under there. - HE LAUGHS
0:05:36 > 0:05:39It's usually old newspapers, to be honest with you.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Especially when you've got kids, it's food, yeah.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44There's nowt you can do about that, unfortunately.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Can you see them?- Can I see them?
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I see small people.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51HE LAUGHS
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Sometimes you can. I mean, sometimes they'll land on you.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54Anything like that.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57And Brian uses every pest control officer's tried and tested
0:05:57 > 0:06:01technique to be sure he leaves the property flea-free...
0:06:01 > 0:06:02HE LAUGHS
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Job done, he gives Katie one last tip for tackling the little mites.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12The other thing I would suggest, change to, like,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15a citrus shower gel, something like that, and that might ease...
0:06:15 > 0:06:18It'll soothe the little 'un anyway, from itching and that
0:06:18 > 0:06:21because it's citrus. It'll take the sting out, sort of thing.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22Just see how she goes with that.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27I just feel relieved that, hopefully,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31I won't see them again, stop getting bitten.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I don't feel... I don't feel dirty any more.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38And hopefully the kids are not going to see them again.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44'It's like anything. When people turn round and they bite themselves,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46'especially fleas, ants, any insect,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48'crawling insect spray that they get or anything like that,'
0:06:48 > 0:06:52nine times out of ten, it never works and most of the time they phone us.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54The product's, always, are slightly weaker than us.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59At least with us, you get a good kill and you don't hoover for ten days.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Fleas dealt with, Brian's next job sees him
0:07:05 > 0:07:09take on the most serious cockroach infestation of his career.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12This is just the kitchen. And this is bad.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25In these austere times, our councils endeavour to support
0:07:25 > 0:07:27local businesses through advice,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30grants and, where possible, reduced business rates.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33However, there are over 50,000 empty shops
0:07:33 > 0:07:35in the UK's town centres,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39with 11,000 retail jobs being lost in 2013.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44But some plucky entrepreneurs ARE ready to reinvest.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47In Stalybridge, local butcher John Mettrick has rented this
0:07:47 > 0:07:53disused unit and, eager to test the market, has started trading from it.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56What we're trying to do here is establish a traditional
0:07:56 > 0:07:59butcher's shop in this town, which hasn't had one for about three
0:07:59 > 0:08:02or four years now, and the traders have seen a downturn in the trade
0:08:02 > 0:08:05since there wasn't a butcher's shop here.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07So we've come here to try and ascertain as to whether there's
0:08:07 > 0:08:11enough trade in this town to warrant having a butcher's here.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14And we've just decided now to go ahead with the full shop fit,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16because this is not how we would trade.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20I mean, this is more like a market stall inside and we're hoping,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23fingers crossed, that this really works out for us.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29When a new food business starts up, councils must conduct
0:08:29 > 0:08:32an advisory inspection to ensure the business is working to meet
0:08:32 > 0:08:34high hygiene standards.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39It's the responsibility of council environmental health officers
0:08:39 > 0:08:42like Simon Ashton to do these inspections.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45And, with previous experience as a trainee butcher,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48he knows what to look for.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50It's good sometimes to have experience,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54even if it's only part-time experience, of working in industry.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57'When you go out doing inspections and dealing with businesses,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00'when they know that you've actually worked in the food industry,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02'you get quite a lot of respect from that.'
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- Morning.- Hi, pleased to meet you. Hi, Simon. Hi, Charlotte. You OK?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I mean, this not is our normal set-up.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11If you see our other two shops, you know what I mean,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13that's what we're aiming for.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The public are behind us, the MP's behind us, everybody's behind us
0:09:16 > 0:09:20trying to do this and trying to bring some life back into the town.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24So, what are we selling here at the moment, then?
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- We're selling fresh meat. - Right.- These two counters here.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30And pies out of here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33John currently brings the meat in, wrapped and ready to sell,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36then clears it out once trading has finished.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Although Simon and his colleague Charlotte are keen to support
0:09:39 > 0:09:43this new venture, their priority is making sure the food John
0:09:43 > 0:09:45is selling is safe for consumers to eat.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49We've got the little sink there that obviously has a heater inside it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52It needs to be more than that, to be honest. I know it's only
0:09:52 > 0:09:55a temporary arrangement and you've got big plans for the shop
0:09:55 > 0:09:56but you really...
0:09:56 > 0:09:58I mean, first of all, you need a sink for cleaning equipment,
0:09:58 > 0:09:59don't you, really?
0:09:59 > 0:10:03There's no equipment, there's no machinery, there's no equipment.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Everything is...is wrapped and everything is cleaned down.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I thought he might have just done a little bit more. Even though it's
0:10:09 > 0:10:12a temporary arrangement, I'd have expected to see a bit more, really.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Maybe installed a proper wash hand basin and things like that.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18When you walked in there was leaves blowing into the shop
0:10:18 > 0:10:19and stuff like that.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It just probably didn't give the right impression.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Simon is concerned that this temporary set-up isn't
0:10:25 > 0:10:26meeting hygiene standards.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29He needs to be convinced that John's plans for the permanent
0:10:29 > 0:10:33butcher's shop will fully comply with the regulations.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Do you want me to get this plan out? - Yeah, let's have a look at the plan
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- so that we...- Can see what we're going to do.- Yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44So, this is the entrance to the shop here, right?
0:10:44 > 0:10:47So, that's the public entrance to the shop.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49And then at the back, just through that room there,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52is the actual entrance where the product will come in.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I'm trying to make complete separation.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Even the actual floors here between the two areas,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59so there's no confusion between the staff as to which area
0:10:59 > 0:11:03they're in, are different colours, yeah?
0:11:03 > 0:11:06If John's plans don't become a reality and he doesn't meet
0:11:06 > 0:11:10basic hygiene requirements then Simon could close this place down.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Do you think you'll be all right?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14I'm happy with the plans that you've shown us, yeah.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17I think, really, obviously once everything's done,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19we'll be a lot happier then.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23With the refit starting in just two days, Simon gives him
0:11:23 > 0:11:25leeway to continue trading for now.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27But it's down to John to deliver
0:11:27 > 0:11:30the hygiene levels that he's promising.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41The nation's local councils are all tasked with
0:11:41 > 0:11:44putting our money to the best possible use.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47But, as we all contribute to our council's coffers,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51everyone has an opinion about how they should manage those finances.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I know it's very difficult for them.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55They've got a finite amount of money
0:11:55 > 0:12:00and they've got to spend it where they think it's best spent
0:12:00 > 0:12:03but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're right.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06At the end of the day, we're all in this together
0:12:06 > 0:12:09and we all have to act together and work together.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11We are under austerity times and there is only
0:12:11 > 0:12:13so much money in the pot.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18You can't please all the people all the time,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22and to have to choose where you're going to make your cuts is extremely
0:12:22 > 0:12:25difficult and I certainly wouldn't like to have to make that choice.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Our local councils don't just enforce hygiene regulations
0:12:35 > 0:12:38or tackle pests. They also try to generate more
0:12:38 > 0:12:42income for their communities by investing in new business.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Tameside Council is taking the bold decision to increase
0:12:47 > 0:12:50rather than slash funding for new start-ups.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52One of the council bosses, Robin Monk,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55is leading their own version of Dragons' Den.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58'As a council, we're here to support local businesses,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01'we're here to actually bring new businesses into the borough.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03'But it's nice to get something a little different'
0:13:03 > 0:13:06to give young people, older people
0:13:06 > 0:13:10that are looking for that opportunity to start up a business
0:13:10 > 0:13:14to come before a set of Dragons, me being one of them,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18to actually present their case for a grant of up to £1,000
0:13:18 > 0:13:20just to help them get started.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Robin has selected a panel of five business leaders who have all
0:13:26 > 0:13:29started and now run successful companies in the region.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34We all work together as a collaborative force
0:13:34 > 0:13:37for the benefit of new business start-ups in Tameside.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'For you to be able to grow your business,'
0:13:40 > 0:13:42you need to be able to build connections,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46whether it's with other businesses or whether it's with your council.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49The business leaders will hear five-minute pitches
0:13:49 > 0:13:51from seven budding entrepreneurs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54They're each bidding for an investment of up to £1,000 -
0:13:54 > 0:13:58money they hope will kick-start the project of their dreams.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01A little bit nervous but I think I've got a really good product
0:14:01 > 0:14:04so hopefully it will speak for itself.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Thank you.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10The pitches get under way with an educational toy designer
0:14:10 > 0:14:13who's blending the real with the virtual.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16We want to build a platform as well that will allow the children
0:14:16 > 0:14:20to interact online as well as play with a traditional toy.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24He's followed by an aspiring entrepreneur launching
0:14:24 > 0:14:28a website that aims to give students quality work experience.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30You spend three years of your life
0:14:30 > 0:14:34and a hell of a lot of money to get your degree and then you don't
0:14:34 > 0:14:37actually have the experience to go into the career you want.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41And eager to face the panel is 21-year-old musician Owen Ashworth,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45who needs the cash to fund a rehearsal space for local bands.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Quite nervous but I've got my presentation ready,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53I've rehearsed it, so hopefully it'll just go all to plan.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Hi.- Hiya.- Hi.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Music is my passion and what better way to show that passion than
0:15:01 > 0:15:04to build music rehearsal rooms for all young people?
0:15:04 > 0:15:08I pitched the idea to my mum and dad and they straightaway wanted
0:15:08 > 0:15:12to give me a bit of help, so they financially backed me.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Owen's spent two years developing his idea
0:15:17 > 0:15:20and has already started building the rehearsal rooms.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22I am in a band. We're called Revival.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25We're a melodic metal band from Manchester area.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28We practise at my local youth centre.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32When you turn about 20, 21, you're not really supposed to be
0:15:32 > 0:15:35practising there any more so I thought, "What's a good
0:15:35 > 0:15:39"follow-on from there and what can young people go and do afterwards?"
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Owen's dad has also been helping his son build his empire.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49Owen came to me some time ago with the idea of running his own business
0:15:49 > 0:15:54and I could see it wasn't just an interest or a hobby.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57This was going to turn out to be something a bit bigger than that.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58I've had to pull my dad out of retirement
0:15:58 > 0:16:01so he can help with the building of this.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03He's been the engineer behind it, all the brains.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I thought I was going to be putting my feet up but I think this is
0:16:07 > 0:16:09a worthwhile cause, and me and the wife, Denise,
0:16:09 > 0:16:14have pulled out all the stops to help Owen to achieve what he wants to do.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Owen's dad might be happy to be out of retirement
0:16:17 > 0:16:19but he doesn't want to be out of pocket too,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and the cash being given to their son's new venture is running low.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Having got halfway through it now,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27we've realised just what a big project it is.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I will be going for the full £1,000 and we hope
0:16:30 > 0:16:33that we can secure the extra money just so we can finish it off.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36This money is essential for Owen to make his dreams a reality.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39We do only have a limited amount of funds
0:16:39 > 0:16:41so £1,000 is a lot of money and it does go a long way.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Silver Lining Studios - practice makes perfect.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Thank you.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Pitch done, it's time for Owen to face the panel's questions.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52I think it is a great concept.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54I think we can all share that.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I've got children at an age that would be dying to go
0:16:58 > 0:16:59to a place like this.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03I'm surprised, actually, I've not heard anything about it.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05It's just been word-of-mouth at the moment.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I have set up a Facebook page and my friends have been sharing
0:17:08 > 0:17:11that at the moment, just letting people know that we are in
0:17:11 > 0:17:14the vicinity, that something is going to be happening fairly soon.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15How are you going to keep moving?
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Where is the rest of the money coming from?
0:17:19 > 0:17:21We are hoping that when we get up and running,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24the business is going to pay for itself then.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Have you got a business plan for that?- Yeah.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30I've done a cash flow and the money that we are potentially going
0:17:30 > 0:17:34to make, we would break even in the first year
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and then start making a profit within the second and third year.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40How are you going to generate this revenue that's in your business plan?
0:17:40 > 0:17:46Our main customers are going to be anyone from 13 up until, say, 30.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50However, I have had a lot of interest from older bands.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- They have been really interested. - Thank you.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57With the ordeal over, Owen will have to wait to see if he has done
0:17:57 > 0:18:01enough to secure the much-needed finances for his business.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04It went well. You know, it's really intimidating
0:18:04 > 0:18:06when you first walk in there.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08I was really nervous but once you get going
0:18:08 > 0:18:10and you get into the flow of things, it's...
0:18:10 > 0:18:11It was a lot better.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Good morning. Tameside Council. How can I help you?
0:18:24 > 0:18:28At the heart of every hardworking council is its call centre.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Jake speaking. Can I help?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Staff across the UK deal with tens of thousands of calls
0:18:33 > 0:18:36every month from residents who need help...
0:18:36 > 0:18:37That would be bereavement services.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39If you can bear with me, I shall put you through.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41..advice...
0:18:41 > 0:18:42Everybody has a legal right.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44You can do that but it can't be done verbally.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46..or have a complaint.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50I'm so sorry. OK? Thank you, bye.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Dealing with complaints throws up challenges
0:18:52 > 0:18:54that the team aim to tackle head-on.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57We do have quite a lot of regular callers.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58We have one chap,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01bless him, he goes round Tameside with a little book
0:19:01 > 0:19:04and a little pad and he will report absolutely everything.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08He will tell you if a crisp packet's on the floor, he will tell
0:19:08 > 0:19:12you if he's seen a spider and that we need to get the exterminators out.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Right.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's trying to balance being professional but also letting him
0:19:17 > 0:19:22know, you know, we do have to go now but it's been nice to speak to you.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25You've got to remember that, if they're upset with the council,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28even if it's a very small thing, they're not upset with you.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Take ownership of the problem, turn it around a little bit
0:19:31 > 0:19:33and see where we go from there.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Yes, we deal with those. That's a pest control issue.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38We all have our own coping mechanisms in the office.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Some of us stand up and do a bit of a shudder.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45It's not the caller's fault but it's the way it makes you feel, isn't it?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53From Land's End to John O'Groats,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55making our communities pleasant to live in
0:19:55 > 0:19:57and ridding our regions of pests
0:19:57 > 0:20:01is top of every pest control officer's agenda.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03After exterminating fleas,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Brian Whelan has been called to a public recycling point.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Rats have been reported running around the bins.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14There's the bottle bins, there's clothes bins, there's cardboard
0:20:14 > 0:20:19and plastic and people turn up and they throw...recycle stuff.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Now, sometimes we get a bit of a rat activity
0:20:22 > 0:20:25cos people don't just throw...
0:20:25 > 0:20:28They throw food waste in sometimes and it's a bit annoying.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Disease-ridden rats are scavengers
0:20:31 > 0:20:33that will migrate to any area with a food source.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It's the human race, how we live today.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40You know, it's just easier to throw things away and throw things on
0:20:40 > 0:20:43the side and unfortunately they get a takeaway, they won't go and walk
0:20:43 > 0:20:46over the road and put it in a bin, they'll just drop it on the floor.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47But that's human nature.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50That's how we live, that's how we've developed over the years.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53I mean, we've just come them sort of people, unfortunately.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01You've got your clothes, you've got your glass.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05It's not exactly tidy, unfortunately.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08'It's an ideal dumping site for people to throw anything,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10'to be honest with you, because some of them
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'can't even be bothered putting their clothes in the thing.'
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Potato peeling. Food waste.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Old clothes left lying on the floor. Bags of rubbish.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24And, again, round the back of here there's a lot of rubbish,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26a lot of waste.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Then we get an infestation.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29'There was apples, there was all sorts there,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31'there was bread, there was everything.'
0:21:31 > 0:21:33But it's not a bread site.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It's not a recycling for bread. But people throw it there.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Monitoring rat activity is a time-consuming
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and often frustrating part of the job.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48In the past, when we've just sort of sat here quietly and just watched out
0:21:48 > 0:21:53the car windows, normally, they scurry from underneath, back and to.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56But today, we're here...
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Diddly squat.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Sometimes they still think that, you know, you are the Pied Piper
0:22:04 > 0:22:09and you make a noise and all the rats jump in your bag.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11I wish it was that easy.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15The only rat I've found is that. I'll knock it in the head. Yeah.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Right, we'll go and get some dinner.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21'You know, we were there, staking it out but, trust me, there was no...
0:22:21 > 0:22:24'no bad boys running round that place, was there?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'But these are the things you have to do.'
0:22:26 > 0:22:30It's all part of keeping the borough and keeping on top of things.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32One thing, though - you'll never, ever, ever
0:22:32 > 0:22:36get total eradication of rats in Tameside, or mice.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38You'll get control but you'll never get total eradication.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40No-one can offer that. It's impossible.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Not the way we live today. Impossible.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Brian might not have spotted any pests here
0:22:47 > 0:22:51but he's unlikely to have the same problem on his next job.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Once again, a resident's called the council asking for help
0:22:55 > 0:22:57to tackle some unwanted insect inhabitants,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00but, rather than the hopping flea kind,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03this time it's cockroaches.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08If you think, when you're on holiday abroad or something like that,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and you get the odd cockroach in a room
0:23:10 > 0:23:12and most people are disgusted by it and think,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14"Oh, my God, I want to move, I want to go back to England,"
0:23:14 > 0:23:17like that, they think that's a bad situation.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21But it's not just the countries we visit on our holidays
0:23:21 > 0:23:23that are home to cockroaches.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26The UK is also suffering with an increasing problem
0:23:26 > 0:23:28with these filthy insects.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Attracted by food debris and dirty surfaces,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36they access our homes through gaps around pipes and under doors.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37And it's a problem for us
0:23:37 > 0:23:42because cockroaches carry bacteria such as salmonella and e.coli
0:23:42 > 0:23:46that cause diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pains and can be fatal.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Brian's responding to a call from a concerned resident who wants
0:23:51 > 0:23:52to rid her home of roaches
0:23:52 > 0:23:55but he's not prepared for the size of this infestation.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- If there's any behind there, they'll start coming out.- Right.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04- There you go.- Yeah, I see one then. Yeah. Yeah.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Look at them all coming out now.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10This is the worst infestation Brian has ever tackled.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12I'll have a look in the kitchen.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15At every turn another hiding place is revealed.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Round the back of the clock I just took off the wall.- Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Look at all them there.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Do you want a torch?
0:24:24 > 0:24:28I went into the kitchen and it was just...
0:24:28 > 0:24:33It was just a shock to your system that someone could live how it was.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36In the cupboards as well, there.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Cockroaches can survive on very little food
0:24:39 > 0:24:42but will eat anything, including other cockroaches, to survive.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Brian must establish how far they've spread
0:24:46 > 0:24:48to get to the root of this problem.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53That, there, that is the ootheca, which is the egg case.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54If you look there, that little one,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56that's a stage of it. Look at it, picking it up.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00'It's very rare that you see the egg casings.'
0:25:00 > 0:25:03You might see the odd one or two in a property
0:25:03 > 0:25:05when you're doing the job but with this one,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09I mean, on one work surface, I'd seen six or seven egg casings.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Egg casings contain up to 30 nymphs...
0:25:14 > 0:25:17That's the egg it's carrying on its back.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20..which could potentially increase this infestation
0:25:20 > 0:25:22by a further 240 cockroaches.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27- This is just the kitchen and this is bad.- Yeah, loads of them.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- Isn't there?- Yeah, you've got nymphs crawling round. This is bad, this.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I tell you.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37To halt the infestation, Brain must fill every nook and cranny
0:25:37 > 0:25:40with a poisonous gel that the roaches will eat and die.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44There's a saying, you know, if there was a nuclear war,
0:25:44 > 0:25:45a cockroach would still be alive.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47But...
0:25:47 > 0:25:50the poisons that we've got on the market and the insecticides that we
0:25:50 > 0:25:55have on the market for cockroaches, I mean, are far better than anything.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58With the poisonous bait laid, the cockroaches will be
0:25:58 > 0:26:02eradicated from the property in just over a week's time.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Can you just put that in there for us and I'll take that off you?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Every rule was broken in hygiene in that house.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10I mean, unfortunately... I've just had a chat with the lady now.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14She's going to work with us, tidy up little bit. It's just bad.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16It's been a distressing job,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20but this heroic council officer has given the residents the help
0:26:20 > 0:26:23they so desperately needed once they'd called the council.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40While the UK's town centres are still struggling
0:26:40 > 0:26:43from the effect of the recent recession,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45with 18 shops closing every day...
0:26:47 > 0:26:51..butcher John Mettrick has decided to take a leap of faith.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53He's opening a new shop on a struggling high street
0:26:53 > 0:26:56and has been busy refitting it after a trial run.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01As you can see, we've cracked on with it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I mean, it's sort of like seven days at the moment.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- I think I'm looking for your shop. - It opens tomorrow.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07'There's been quite a local bit of interest.'
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Mettrick's is pretty well known up this way and people can't wait.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14The feedback's pretty good so people are looking forward to it.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16A bit of something decent in the town centre
0:27:16 > 0:27:18to bring people back into it.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Council officers like Simon Ashton are charged with making sure
0:27:26 > 0:27:29new businesses are safe for us.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32After having had some concerns about John's temporary set-up,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Simon is back to ensure he's begun to put
0:27:35 > 0:27:37the right hygiene requirements in place.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41If not, Simon could be forced to delay the opening
0:27:41 > 0:27:43and dent John's plans.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- Hello.- Hi, Simon. You all right? - Yes, fine, thank you.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- Nice to see you again.- Yes. - Different now.- Just a bit.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Well, not quite ready yet. We're getting there.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54It's so much different. Really good.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Right, so do you want to sort of take me
0:27:56 > 0:27:57through what you're proposing to do?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00What we've got here is the fresh meat counter as you walk in,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04with a butcher and a server behind here, specifically for fresh meat.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07This section here will be the hot counter.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08It's the bain marie underneath.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10What sort of things will you be selling hot?
0:28:10 > 0:28:12We'll be serving things like breakfast out of there
0:28:12 > 0:28:15so we'll be doing bacon, sausage and egg in the morning
0:28:15 > 0:28:17and then we'll probably be doing things like pulled pork,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20steak sandwiches and that, like, for the dinner time.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22There will be a till on the end there.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26That till will be specifically for cooked food.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29You'll notice there's a full glass divider there
0:28:29 > 0:28:32so there's no chance of any contact with the red meat.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35We've got a little section in the middle there for the cooked meats.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- Right.- So that'll be sliced ham, beef, turkey.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41So it's complete separation between the two areas.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Now, what we've got is we've got little data loggers,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47thermo data loggers, for each of the cabinets so we can record
0:28:47 > 0:28:50the temperatures and print the graphs off on the computers and that so
0:28:50 > 0:28:53we can illustrate that everything's been kept at the right temperature.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Constantly monitoring rather than checking a couple of times a day.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58We've got a constant thing there.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01This is about as hi tech as hygiene gets.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04It's a massive difference to the state of the temporary store
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Simon inspected six days ago.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08You can also see, so nobody gets confused
0:29:08 > 0:29:10whether they're in cooked or raw,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13we've got a floor covering difference.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15If they're stood over there, they know they should be handling
0:29:15 > 0:29:19cooked stuff and if stood here then they should be handling red meat.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22That's excellent. All the equipment will be labelled up, will it?
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- All have signs up. - There, you can see.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27I mean, we're right in the middle of it. We've got all the things here.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31"Cooked meat preparation. Cooked meat only. Cooked meat preparation."
0:29:31 > 0:29:33So nobody gets confused where they are.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37The shop fit is going well but the real test will be
0:29:37 > 0:29:40when Simon carries out the full hygiene inspection.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45But when he does, there's a last-minute panic to provide
0:29:45 > 0:29:48everything he needs to give a good rating.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- Hopefully this is what you've been looking for.- Yeah, let's have a look.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01Simon, like council officers across the country, is battling to
0:30:01 > 0:30:04balance his responsibility to the keep the public safe
0:30:04 > 0:30:08with the desire to safeguard the future of the local economy.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13'The council's role is about providing quality public services.'
0:30:13 > 0:30:15We are also about economic growth,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18we are also about bringing jobs to the borough
0:30:18 > 0:30:21'and making sure that we do have a sound economic base.'
0:30:22 > 0:30:25We want a really nice place to work,
0:30:25 > 0:30:29to live and to visit.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33So economic regeneration is important.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36'We do that through ensuring people get good education,'
0:30:36 > 0:30:39that people have access to life skills, that people who can't
0:30:39 > 0:30:42particularly look after themselves get looked after.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46'And local business is just part of that much wider picture.'
0:30:50 > 0:30:53At Tameside's Enterprise Centre, aspiring entrepreneurs
0:30:53 > 0:30:55are still battling to win the support of their local
0:30:55 > 0:30:59council and business leaders, who have up to £1,000
0:30:59 > 0:31:02to inject into start-ups that show potential.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03Let me give you some stats.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06So far, the panel have heard pitches from a toy developer,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09a web designer and a candle maker.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13My aims are to make people aware that there is a choice between paraffin
0:31:13 > 0:31:18and a natural product and to be a recognised brand within four years.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Next to pitch her bunting business is former seamstress Sheila Taylor.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32I've always been interested in traditional crafts.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37As you see, the bunting comes in many forms,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41many colours and for every occasion.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45I'd like to pass the traditions on to current generations,
0:31:45 > 0:31:47the knitting and sewing, to young people.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Currently, 60% of new businesses are being started from home.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Sheila's desperate to add to these figures
0:31:56 > 0:31:58with an idea inspired by a relative.
0:32:00 > 0:32:06My granddaughter was 21 and I decided that I'd make her something
0:32:06 > 0:32:12personal, which would be the bunting, so I put her name on, 21,
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and the girls from uni, they were like,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19"That's great, will you do me some?"
0:32:19 > 0:32:21And that's where the idea started.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28I'm going to ask for the £1,000 because I do need more equipment.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31I need a worktable that I can cut out on.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35I've bought the machine, the sewing machine and the dye machine,
0:32:35 > 0:32:37and the dyes out of my savings,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40so obviously that money's not going to come back
0:32:40 > 0:32:41because I don't work now.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45I am retired. It's not something I've taken on lightly.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50I've put a lot of effort into it and I really, really do want it to work.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Back in the pitching room, Sheila's worked just as hard
0:32:55 > 0:32:57to try and win the panel's approval.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Genuinely, I think it's a really well made, quality product
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and I absolutely believe there's a market for it.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09What competition is there out there in this kind of market?
0:33:09 > 0:33:11There is a market out there
0:33:11 > 0:33:16but I think if I can go to party planners and I go to bridal fairs,
0:33:16 > 0:33:21I can convince them this product is...because the product is good...
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- Good quality.- It's excellent. It's good quality. And I can deliver.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27I'm interested in where you see this going.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30I mean, we potentially could invest £1,000 in this business.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32But where do you see your business going?
0:33:32 > 0:33:36I'd very much like to take somebody on who'd want to learn
0:33:36 > 0:33:40the skill of sewing, to actually teach somebody.
0:33:40 > 0:33:41Well done.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Thank you very much.- OK.- Thank you.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48All the budding entrepreneurs have now delivered their pitches
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and it's decision time for the business experts and council.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54But which of these ambitious beginners will secure
0:33:54 > 0:33:57the £1,000 prize that could help launch their empire?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14It's also a big day for staff
0:34:14 > 0:34:16at the new butcher's shop in Stalybridge.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20The shop opened two weeks ago and council officer Simon Ashton
0:34:20 > 0:34:24is about to carry out its first full hygiene inspection.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29I'll put my gear on and I'll come through.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Like council officers nationwide, Simon's role is to protect us
0:34:33 > 0:34:35and keep our high streets safe.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37He'll rate the business's hygiene regime
0:34:37 > 0:34:41from zero, the lowest, to five, the highest.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Five stars will reassure customers
0:34:43 > 0:34:47and could help this venture get off to the best possible start.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- You do, like, a breakfast, don't you?- We do, yeah.- Right.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53That is cooked down here on these premises, yes.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Any other products that you cook on-site?- We cook turkey,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- you know, breasts joints, on-site.- Oh, right.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01Yeah, we do turkey.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05To achieve the five-star rating, staff must be employing clean
0:35:05 > 0:35:08and safe methods of working, and have the paperwork that guides
0:35:08 > 0:35:13them through the strict protocol for handling the products they sell.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I'm just wondering if I'm missing something.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19- No, there's no talking of cooking on here, is there?- Right.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23No. Chilled storage. Chilled delivery.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Simon can't see any paperwork
0:35:26 > 0:35:28detailing how staff handle cooked meat.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Without this, he'll be forced to give them a low rating.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34I just wonder if it might be worth ringing the other shop
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- just to find out if... - If they've not sent it.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Do you want to ask one of your colleagues to give them
0:35:39 > 0:35:42a ring and just find out?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Paperwork is important certainly in terms of things like cooked
0:35:44 > 0:35:47meats and products like that because it shows that somebody's
0:35:47 > 0:35:50actually sat down and done an assessment of how the product
0:35:50 > 0:35:52is made on the premises and how it's handled.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57The staff put in a call to owner John Mettrick to see
0:35:57 > 0:35:59if he can trace the missing paperwork.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Yeah, he's got a driver coming down anyway, so...
0:36:03 > 0:36:06While they wait for a response, Simon carries out
0:36:06 > 0:36:09the inspection of the food preparation and storage areas.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17But, as Simon's shown the walk-in fridge, there's a potential problem.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Obviously, the raw meat. The fridge.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Right. It's purely raw meat in there.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26You've got salad in there, though.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Yeah, we store the veg in here.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Right.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35I mean, everything is washed. You know, like, we wash everything.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Yeah, I...
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I think if it's going to be raw meat only, keep it as raw meat only.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- I wouldn't keep any salad items in here.- Right, OK.- OK.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Cross-contamination is one of the main causes of food poisoning.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54In the UK, 5.5 million people
0:36:54 > 0:36:56suffered from the illness last year.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00The staff need to come up with a solution
0:37:00 > 0:37:03to deal with Simon's concerns.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07What about putting them in there on the top shelf or something?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Yeah, things like your salad items and stuff like that, yeah.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14If we put them on the top shelf. I'd keep them there.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Yeah, you've got it there but I'd recommend you have... OK, then.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19- No problem.- Right.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28As Simon does his final checks,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31owner John arrives with what he hopes is the missing paperwork
0:37:31 > 0:37:35and the evidence that will ensure he gets a good rating.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40- Ah, hi.- Hello, Mr Mettrick.- You all right?- Fine, thank you. Right.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- Hopefully this is what you've been looking for.- Yeah, let's have a look.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47OK. This is, like, covering pies, cooking of pies.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52- Holding at hot temperatures. And cooking of meats as well.- Right.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57- Super. Brilliant.- Is that OK? - Yeah, that's absolutely fine.- OK.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59- Have you got a minute?- Yeah.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Simon's made a decision about the rating, so John gathers
0:38:03 > 0:38:07the whole team to tell them the result of weeks of their hard work.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Mr Ashton's finished his inspection.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Five stars. Well done.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Congratulations. You done your job right. Everything. Brilliant.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Well done. Very, very pleased.
0:38:17 > 0:38:18It's terrific.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21I mean, we can put the five stars in the window now
0:38:21 > 0:38:24and people will realise that this establishment is being well-run.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26It'll give them confidence in all the hygiene
0:38:26 > 0:38:29and everything that we've got going on in this place.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31All right, then. Cheers. Thanks very much. Bye-bye, now.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34'There's a transformation taken place there, really, isn't there?'
0:38:34 > 0:38:38When I first came down and it literally was just a pop-up shop
0:38:38 > 0:38:42but obviously since then it's now open as a high-class butcher's shop.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45There's been a lot of investment in the actual premises.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47I'm really pleased with it, yeah.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50After making the big decision to open a new business
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and help regenerate the town centre,
0:38:53 > 0:38:57this top rating should help attract much-needed new custom
0:38:57 > 0:39:00to make this business and the high street flourish.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Simon's played his part in protecting us,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18now it's time for the council to help the wider economy bloom.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23With a cash injection of up to £1,000 each on offer,
0:39:23 > 0:39:25fledgling entrepreneurs have been busy pitching
0:39:25 > 0:39:26their new business ideas.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Now they must wait as the panel decides whether the start-ups
0:39:33 > 0:39:37show potential and deserve their financial and personal support.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- My personal view, I'd like to give her a contribution.- I'm in for 500.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43I'm not knocking the concept, it's great.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45So we're saying £1,000, then?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Fabulous. He's a talent.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I'm in for a grand.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52I really don't like the way she's going to use the money.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- I'm not behind it at all.- Is this a business we should be investing in?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Those successful today will have that ambition,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02they'll have that drive but they'll have that business acumen.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04They'll understand business,
0:40:04 > 0:40:09they'll understand what it will take to go from here today with
0:40:09 > 0:40:14maybe up to £1,000 to actually then start to grow that business.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Very nervous. Very nervous.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Sheila's first to find out whether she's been awarded any money
0:40:21 > 0:40:23to kick-start her bunting business.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26The Dragons were very impressed with your presentation today
0:40:26 > 0:40:29so we're going to give you the full £1,000 to help with your business.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31- Oh, thank you.- Well done, Sheila.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Thank you. Thank you.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38For Owen, the extra money would enable him
0:40:38 > 0:40:42to finish building his music rehearsal rooms and start trading.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45The Dragons have decided to give you £1,000 towards your business.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I was certainly impressed that you've already spent some of your own
0:40:48 > 0:40:50money and your parents' money.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- Some of the Dragons decided they were going to help you.- That's fantastic.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Thank you. OK, thank you.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- So?- Full thousand.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00CHEERING
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Owen's dad has also been waiting anxiously to hear the news.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07PHONE RINGS
0:41:07 > 0:41:12- 'Hello?'- Hi, Dad. Yeah, I got the £1,000.- 'Have you?'- Yeah.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14OWEN'S DAD LAUGHS
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The offers of money and support continue.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- We're going to give you a full thousand pounds.- Super. Thank you.
0:41:21 > 0:41:22£1,000.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23CHEERING
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- We're going to give you £500. - Thank you.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Well done. I'm very proud of you.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35The Dragons have decided we going to give you £1,000.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Thanks very much, everyone. That's great.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Full amount.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41CHEERING
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Led by our heroic council officer Robin,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48the Dragons will now support the fledgling businesses as
0:41:48 > 0:41:51they take off and put the money they've been awarded to good use.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54When you're a millionaire, remember where you got the £1,000 from.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Yeah, I will do. Thank you.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59The council's hope is that in time the whole community will reap
0:41:59 > 0:42:02the rewards of their bold investments.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Do you know what? I really enjoyed that.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06That was a brilliant afternoon and I thought the seven people that
0:42:06 > 0:42:10came and presented were absolutely brilliant.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13I mean, it just goes to show the talent that's out there
0:42:13 > 0:42:16if only you can find it and just give it a bit of...
0:42:16 > 0:42:17of encouragement.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18CHEERING
0:42:22 > 0:42:25It's been another enterprising shift for our local councils
0:42:25 > 0:42:28and hard-working officers across the country.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31They've supported local businesses
0:42:31 > 0:42:35and helped breathed fresh life into our town centres...
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Five stars. Well done.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40..they've rid residents' homes of fleas and cockroaches...
0:42:40 > 0:42:42This is bad.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45..and they've kick-started several new businesses ideas with
0:42:45 > 0:42:47much-needed cash injections.
0:42:47 > 0:42:48CHEERING
0:42:48 > 0:42:51But, most importantly, they've worked tirelessly to
0:42:51 > 0:42:55help their residents when they called the council.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Public services are absolutely critical.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Yes, times are difficult
0:42:59 > 0:43:03but it's important that we concentrate on what this is about.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06This is providing the services that the public expect us
0:43:06 > 0:43:08to provide and continue to provide.