A SON hopes to start at the very bottom and work his way up to revive his family's 125-year-old business that closed in 2011 partly due to the recession.
Michael Amos, 45, from Heddon-on-the-Wall, feels that he has been welcomed with open arms by Northumberland residents when he announced that he is reviving his family blacksmith and restoration business 'Amos Bros' under the new name of 'Rusty Restorations'.
Amos Bros was a very well-known business and has examples of their work around the country. Some of their work includes the handrails around the Town Moor for the Freemen of the City and the Poison garden gates for the Duchess of Northumberland at Alnwick Garden.
Michael, who worked alongside his father and uncle for 17 years, claims that since announcing the news, a lot of people have exclaimed how much his trade is needed in Northumberland.
"I have sold everything I own just to open the business as I had no equipment or anything," Michael said.
"I am starting on day one with nothing and with no budget, so I am putting everything I have to get it off the ground.
"For now it is just me working in the back of my van and traveling everywhere but I hope to be at the same point as what my family had."
Michael had the chance to continue the business in 2011, when his uncle Ridley Amos and his dad Charlton Amos decided to retire but felt with the recession would hinder it and decided to work elsewhere leading it to close.
"Sadly my uncle and father have both passed, so they are unable to be with me as I take on this incredible but tough journey - but I know they would be proud of me.
"I think they were heartbroken when I couldn't continue the business in 2011 but my uncle and father agreed that it would be a bad time for business, so I feel now is the best option to open it 12 years later but under a new name.
"When I announced that I would be back doing restorations and continuing my family business - everyone has said they had a list of jobs needed doing for years and were glad as the trade is needed."
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