Name: John Poltorak

Trading Ward: City

Business Name: Balanga Polish Bar & Restaurant

Business Address:

Godwin Street, Bradford, BD1

Telephone: 01274 739112

Background of Business

John Poltorak worked as an accountant and IT consultant before starting his own business. His ambition was far removed from balance sheets and computers. As the Bradford born son of Polish parents he spotted a gap in the local market for a Polish bar, restaurant and music venue. He knew that with around 10,000 Polish people already living in the Bradford District he would have a clearly defined market. Add potential customers among people who have moved to Bradford from other Eastern European countries since they joined the European Union and, John believed, his business venture would succeed. But he faced a daunting challenge: he knew next to nothing about running licensed premises.

Support Journey

John readily acknowledges the intensive support he has received from the Kickstart programme. He already had a degree in business studies, gained at Bradford University’s School of Management. To begin his journey into self employment he enrolled for the University’s Amaze Yourself course, which is backed by the Kickstart programme. He then turned to Kickstart partners BizFizz, where Business Coaches David Humphreys and Andrew Gibson – the latter with experience in the licensed trade – assisted him with virtually every aspect of setting up his business. Using Kickstart’s professional services scheme John was able to obtain professional legal services to guide him through complex legal issues linked to his business premises, which adjoin the busy Kirkgate Centre. This vital support was given by fellow Polish citizen descendant Simon Mydlowski, a commercial property solicity at the Bradford office of leading law firm Gordons. Owen Whitehouse, at the School of Management’s SME Network, also provided valuable assistance, as did Saeeda Ahmed and Georgios Vournas from regeneration body Trescom. John was also advised by George Nash, a Kickstart Business Growth Adviser with Manningham-based ATL Enterprise. Another Kickstart partner, Millennium Renaissance Consultants, based just round the corner from the Kirkgate Centre, also provided support.

Where are they now

Opening new licensed premises in the midst of an economic recession, at a time when pubs and clubs were closing in many parts of the country, was a bold, life-changing step for John. With his new bar well stocked, Polish vodkas and draught Polish lager Zywiec on sale next to John Smith’s Yorkshire bitter and Polish chefs in the kitchen, he opened the door of Balanga for the first time. Within weeks his initial concerns that his huge investment would fail were quickly dispersed. Balanga is becoming popular, not only within Polish and other Eastern European communities but also with indigenous Bradfordians who have welcomed a new bar and restaurant in town. He has recruited Polish and English speaking staff to ensure that customers are given a warm welcome and good service seven days a week. And the team of Kickstart and other advisers who gave him invaluable support during the pre-launch and post-launch phases were among the first to raise a glass to his future success as proprietor of Bradford’s first Polish bar, restaurant and music venue.
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