At just 24 years old Hassan Ali Sheikh is already running a business that has a team of eight staff and a city centre premises.

Hassan, from Shelton in Stoke-on-Trent, was still in primary school when his mum founded Unique Carpets and Flooring 15 years ago.

He joined the business as a teenager after studying for A Levels at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and now runs day-to-day operations including a showroom in Broad Street, Hanley.

Hassan has a team of three showroom staff plus five contractors who fit carpets and flooring for both domestic and business clients across Staffordshire.

“I just fell into working in the business after leaving college and it’s going well. The business continues to develop and grow,” said Hassan.

“I want to be the best. I want to offer the best service, the best quality products, the best quality installations and to be the go-to place when people want to buy the best.

“We’re a family-run business, very competitively priced and have quick installations times. We also pride ourselves on offering the personal touch.

“All our staff, across both teams, are very professional, fully trained and attend numerous courses with manufacturers.”

Hassan has entered the Young Business Person of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards and has entered Unique Carpets and Flooring into the High Street Impact and Small Business of the Year categories.