Simon Groom and Seth James initially went into business by accident.

But there is nothing accidental about the success the Lowestoft men have achieved since they set up S&S Sound and Lighting Hire just over a year ago.

Not only do they hire out PA systems and up-lighting, they also provide bands for functions and have been chosen for the second year running to oversee the sound and lighting operation of the Beccles Pantomime.

Not bad for two entrepreneurs under the age of 21, who also hold down full time jobs.

Both are employed at Potters Leisure Resort in Gorleston as part of the in-house technical crew.

Mr Groom, 20, said: “We have just been building it up as we go. It started really because Ryan Holt, the producer of SparkLive Pantomimes, asked us if we could help out with some lighting for an event in a church at Corton.

“So we got a little bit of lighting and it snowballed from there. It just kind of happened. There was never a time we sat down and said we were going to make it into a business.

“Initially I trained to be a plumber, but then I started working on a casual basis for Potters and I realised that I enjoyed that so much more.

“Seth is still 19, his family run a farm in Lound, and this has helped him gain experience in running a business, which has been essential for S&S when making bigger decisions.”

So far, the duo, who both attended Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft, have provided and operated sound and lighting for weddings and other private events.

They will be adding a range of special stage effects to this year’s Beccles pantomime Robin Hood, along with designing the lighting and sound for the production and employing two operators for the show, which starts on December 22.

“The plan is to keep growing the business,” said Simon. “At the moment we are doing it on top of our full time jobs and everything we make is invested back into the business to buy more equipment.”

Robin Hood runs for 12 performances. Tickets are £10 for children and £12 for adults. Concessions are £11 and a family of four is £40.

They are on sale now at Beccles Public Hall box office, open from 10am until 3pm, Monday to Saturday, by calling 01502 770060 or visiting www.becclespublichall.org.uk

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