Jobs created by brothers' new High Street business

They have used a traditional family recipe passed on from their Belgian mother to open their first business.

What a Waffle began trading on the High Street last week and has created 15 jobs in a previously empty shop. Stanley, 56, said: “What a Waffle’s vision is to be a fun, funky and friendly business which lies at the centre of the Bognor community.”

He and Richard, 49, have 60 years of business and accountancy knowledge between them.

The local residents decided to use retirement and voluntary redundancy from their previous jobs to bring a new business to the town centre. They created a 44-seat restaurant which offers waffles, crepes, ice creams and coffees.

They intend to use as many products as possible from suppliers in the area and build up a customer base of regulars from the town, as well as welcoming tourists.

They were helped in making a significant investment into the business with a small business loan from Heather Roberts, the business manager in the NatWest Chichester office (pictured third left).

The funding has enabled them to invest in necessities such as waffle irons, tills, seating and display cabinets.

“We’ve started completely from scratch and needed the financial backing to be flexible in terms of what we bought,” said Stanley.

“Apparently, 75 per cent of new businesses crash in the first year. So, this loan will give us confidence and a stable base to build upon.”

Heather said: “It’s been great working on such an exciting project with Stanley and Richard. What a Waffle will add a sense of fun to Bognor and will be a great place for people of all ages.”