A local IT company has installed impressive IT systems for the Star Trek exhibition on Blackpool Promenade, with help from Blackpool Council.



Cloud 9 IT Services also installed wireless access points, media players, televisions, phone systems and a CCTV system at the exhibition on Blackpool’s Golden Mile.

Paul McCherry, IT Consultant at Cloud9, has been installing IT Services in the local area for 30 years.

He has also worked with high-profile companies including Littlewoods, Co-operative Insurance Society and British Nuclear Fuels as well as sub-contracting to large companies such as Camelot where his work installing office based servers, systems and infrastructure helped to get the National Lottery started.

After several years working in the industry, Paul decided to utilise his experience and start his own business.

Paul said: “After 20 years in the business, I decided to go ‘back to school’ obtaining my FdSc in networking engineering and I am now studying for my honours degree.

“I approached Blackpool Council’s Get Started team who provided tremendous advice, support and seminars which has assisted me to open a company in my own right.

“We are Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators, Microsoft Certified Infrastructure Engineers, Microsoft Certified Active Directory Specialists, Novell Certified Network Engineers, Cisco Certified Network Administrators and Unix/Linux Administrators.

“We use this wealth of experience and knowledge to help local businesses make the most out of their IT and this in turn grows them into more successful companies.

“The Star Trek exhibition is great fun and I am proud to have played a part in its construction which is proving to be a great attraction for Blackpool.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “Paul is a great example of an entrepreneur using his skills and experience to set up his own business and it’s fantastic to see that he is so successful.

“Get Started can offer you expert advice from experienced business professionals, from arranging your business plan, to getting hold of some finance and supporting you as the company develops.”

To find out if you could become your own boss, contact Get Started on 477147 or search www.blackpool.gov.uk/getstarted.