SOLICITOR Clementene Coates has left her law career behind to launch a new business restoring and painting antique and vintage furniture – with the help of Bradford advisors.

After seven years with a regional law firm she has launched a studio in Carlinghow Mills, Batley, to work on bespoke commissions from private clients and businesses. She creates her own designs and sells online.

Clementene said: “The UK furniture market will be worth over £3 billion this year. The majority of that is mass-produced and imported, lacking the quality of the traditional, solid furniture from years gone by.

“In restoring one-off antique and vintage pieces, I’m able to produce utterly bespoke, high quality furniture which can be treasured for many years to come. My furniture will add a special touch to any room, whether at home, an office, a restaurant or a hotel – and, more often than not, at a fraction of the cost of a new piece.”

Her first major professional commission came last year for ten pieces for the launch of a West Yorkshire photography studio. Her work received glowing Twitter reviews from The Great Interior Design Challenge judge Sophie Robinson and 2014 winner Martin Holland. Support, including mentoring and advice, came through the Bradford-based Business Enterprise Fund, which helps new and growing businesses.

“Like many people I had a good job, but deep down I knew it just wasn’t for me.

“Starting a new business seemed impossible at first, but by putting time aside to develop a business plan it began to look achievable. There’s a lot to learn, but for anyone else out there harbouring a passion to start something of their own, I’d thoroughly recommend getting advice and putting a business plan together.”