A TOUR guide from Prestwich has credited a business coaching programme with helping him adapt his business in the wake of the pandemic.

John Consterdine has given tours of Greater Manchester with his electric taxi since 2008, offering music, sport, Coronation Street-themed tours and Slattery’s afternoon teas, all from the comfort of his back seat.

As his business struggled in the pandemic, he signed up for EnterpriseYou, a free programme which mentors, trains and coaches self-employed people over 18, with a personal business coach who gives guidance across a range of disciplines.

John said: “In 2019 I ran 300 tours and changed my vehicle to an an electric taxi. In January to February 2020 I was busy, but in March, Covid decimated my business.

“I was recommended to apply for EnterprisingYou and started doing it in January and now I am near to the end of the course.

“I was given a business coach, I’ve completed courses on digital marketing, Instagram, health and wellbeing and I’m doing one soon on LinkedIn.

“The whole experience has been fantastic and really well organised and you never hear the word ‘no’. It is so useful, easy to access and it is all free so why wouldn’t you do it?

“You get a fresh pair of eyes to look at your business and your business mentor is available as you want.”

John added: “I’m 60 so it just goes to show that you can learn at any age and this scheme would be great for anyone, wherever they are in their career.

“I started my business out of a passion for Manchester because wherever you look it is steeped in history and I wanted to provide people with a different kind of tour-guiding experience.

“My customers tend to be savvy travellers and I try to tailor it to their unique tastes, whether they are football fans or music fans.

Cllr Andrew Western, GMCA digital lead, said: “We know the pandemic has been difficult for many self-employed people in our city-region. As the economy reopens again many will be requiring help with getting back on their feet.

“In Greater Manchester we are always happy to step up and offer support when needed and EnterprisingYou is one of the many examples of what we’re doing to support our business community.”

For more information n EnterprisingYou and your eligibility visit www.enterprising-you.co.uk