Widnes-based Helen set up Used Kitchen Exchange just over a year ago. The venture promotes the resale of ex-display and used kitchens. Tony McDonough reports.

Helen Lord started her business with just a laptop, a phone and a car – and that early leap of faith has now been rewarded.

Widnes-based Helen set up Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) just over a year ago. The venture promotes the resale of ex-display and used kitchens.

And this week she was revealed as one of the winners at the NatWest everywoman Awards 2016.

For 14 years these annual awards have identified and championed the women behind Britain’s most successful businesses – big and small.

Helen was named the winner of the named the winner of the Demeter category – awarded to the most inspirational woman running a business which has been trading between three and five years.

Used Kitchen Exchange is an business that promotes the profitable recycling of used kitchens; -offering a complete re-sale service, returning the majority of the profit to the seller.

It also provides affordable, pre-owned kitchens to ethically-minded, cost-conscious families and buyers.

Helen said: “In the next three years, Used Kitchen Exchange aims to save the amount of kitchens it would take to fill at least 21 football pitches from becoming landfill.

“The website draws 20,000 visitors a month encouraging people to buy kitchens that don’t cost the Earth.”

Awards co-found Maxine Benson added: “For 14 years the NatWest everywoman Awards have uncovered and celebrated the extraordinary achievements of Britain’s female entrepreneurs.

“Starting a business from scratch takes courage and self-belief, qualities that our winners have in abundance.”