A COUNTRYSIDE specialist with a real vocation for the great outdoors is aiming to stamp his brand on the business he’s just taken over from his brother.
Former gamekeeper Paul Shell is turning his attention to keeping farms and commercial premises like hotels and factories free from pests.
The 43-year-old has just taken over his brother Ged’s pest control business in Alnwick, where he had helped out when needed for almost 20 years, while working in a variety of roles from gamekeeper to publican and civil servant.
Rebranded as Shell Environmental, the business covers Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, and is a specialist in controlling small rodents from rats to mice and moles.
Paul, who is based at Glanton, near Alnwick, said: “My brother built up a strong business over 18 years and now he has retired for health reasons, I am aiming to put my own stamp on things.
“We already specialise in public health contracts, controlling rodent infestations for clients across the North East thanks to the goodwill built up by my brother over the years.
“I’m now aiming to extend our reach from agricultural clients to commercial businesses such as industrial parks and also increase our hotel client bank as we already look after a number of prestigious hotels as well as one of Northumberland’s biggest tourist attractions.
“Today, many more clients are happy to have a pest controller visible on their premises because it tells the world that they are taking care of business and managing things properly.”
Paul has the business in his blood. Starting at 14 on a game keeping work experience placement at Howick Hall in Northumberland, he loved it so much he returned on a voluntary basis at weekends and school holidays.
This experience taught him countryside crafts including vermin control, and led to a YTS scheme when he left school two years later. Although there were no vacancies at the estate at the end of his traineeship, Paul continued as a volunteer while working in a succession of other jobs including forestry work and as a farm labourer. He’s also been a licensee at the Grey’s Inn at Embleton and worked in the Government offices at Longbenton.
He said: “Throughout everything I’ve done, the countryside has remained my passion.
“I now have the chance to work for myself and establish a really strong brand, using the expertise I’ve built up over almost 30 years.
“I want Shell Environmental to be synonymous with the quality job we always do.”
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Photo shows Paul Shell ready for business More info Keith Newman 07814 397951
Mobile: 07545 412573 Landline: 01665 578011 http://shellenvironmental.wordpress.com
