An enterprising student at a Norfolk sixth form college has started up his own business after spotting a gap in the market.Oliver Dickinson was working for a London-based company involved in leaflet distribution when he saw potential for developing a business of his own.

An enterprising student at a Norfolk sixth form college has started up his own business after spotting a gap in the market.

Oliver Dickinson was working for a London-based company involved in leaflet distribution when he saw potential for developing a business of his own.

On the back of this the 18-year-old has set up a company called Fluid Advertising, which only employs local students and specialises in the design, printing and distribution of high quality leaflets.

Business-minded Oliver, a student at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston, said that his business had got off to a promising start and that his dream would be to showcase his skills on the television programme The Apprentice in front of tough-talking Sir Alan Sugar.

He said: “I was working for a London-based company just to get a bit of money to help me through college. This company had a monopoly over the whole of the east of England with regard to leaflet distribution and they were getting us to travel to Ipswich to do it for them. I thought I would set up my own company and this would enable me to visit clients and work on a more personal level.”

Oliver, from Oulton Broad, started his business four and a half months ago and now employs seven students.

He said: “If a company has got a service they want to advertise, or a special offer, or to promote their brand they can come to me and a girl who is studying art and graphics designs the leaflets. Then we send them off to be printed and a team goes out and distributes them door to door.”

While business was fairly slow for the first month or so as the fledgling business got off the ground, Oliver said interest quickly built up through word of mouth.

He has now set up an office at home and is combining his work with studying A-levels in law, English language and photography.

He said: “My parents have been really supportive. Probably the most challenging aspect is my age. When I turn up to meet a client some say 'you look a bit young', but I am really enjoying it and it will be useful experience for the future.”

For more information visit www.fluidadvertising.co.uk