A YOUNG businessman from Evesham is expanding his glass and glazing operation, while also supporting a local charity and helping young people into employment.

Dane Moss, who founded Evesham Glass & Glazing in 2010 at the age of only 20, has seen demand for his fledgling business grow so much he needed to acquire more office space and recruit more staff.

To secure additional office space at his High Street premises, Mr Moss offered his co-tenants, UK charity Action on Pre-eclampsia, a charitable donation to help them relocate. This enabled Evesham Glass to expand operations within the same building, while also supporting the cause of a local charity. “It made perfect sense for both of us,” he said. "The donation enabled APEC to move into more suitable premises for them, while freeing up the space we needed in the building to help us grow.”

With help from Job Centre Plus in Abbey Road, Evesham, 20-year-old fitter Luke Nightingale was soon on board learning skills for the window, door and conservatory trade. Mr Moss was so impressed with the youngster's enthusiasm, a full-time paid position was offered and excepted after eight weeks work experience.

“It wasn’t so long ago that I was in Luke’s position," Mr Moss added. "Having left school without decent grades, my job prospects weren’t great. But hard work and a positive attitude can get you a long way. I can see those attributes in Luke and we’re really pleased to be able to give him this opportunity.”

In just under five years, Evesham Glass & Glazing has grown from a one-man operation out of the back of Mr Moss’s van - which he funded via a small government start-up grant - to a successful local business and include a new showroom and trade centre, both of which will be opening in January.