Pendle MP’s Jobs Fair advice from Bank of Dave star

That was the theme of the message that leading Pendle businessman Dave Fishwick gave to Pendle job seekers as he opened Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson’s Jobs and Opportunities Fair at the Muni in Colne on Friday.

Mr Fishwick, who was born and educated in Nelson, told those present how he left school with no qualifications and his first job was as a builder’s apprentice, found for him by his father who was himself a builder – and how things went on from there.

He is now a self-made millionaire runs a leading van and minibus dealership in Byron Road, Colne, which is the largest supplier of minibuses in the country.

He also runs a successful independent savings and loans scheme he set up in Burnley in 2011 and which featured in the Channel 4 television programme “Bank of Dave” last year.

He said he was delighted to see the numbers present and told those at the opening that they should abide by four rules when setting up their own business:

1) Never lose money.

2) Never forget rule one.

3) Never give up.

4) Have aims and follow them.

“Have a route map, decide where you are going, press the satnav button and set off,” said Mr Fishwick.

He thanked Mr Stephenson for inviting him to open the fair and said: “It is incredible to see so many businesses here.

“It is really important that these events take place and I would like to say ‘well done’ to Andrew and the organisers. You have done a really wonderful job.”

Mr Fishwick said it was “a wonderful idea” to hold the fair and hoped it would have a similar impact to a Jobcentre for disabled young people which he opened in Essex and which featured on another Channel 4 programme, “Search Millons”.

He said: “It was like treading through treacle but I realised that the young people just needed to be shoved in the right direction and they are now all in full-time employment.

“People want to work but sometimes just need a push.”