Maldon business who worked for Love Island and TOWIE stars

Aaron Clarke grew up in Maldon and runs a successful carpet and flooring business.

A Clarke Carpets and Floorings, founded by Aaron in 2012, is based in Latchingdon and has grown massively in the last 10 years.

As a sponsor of the Maldon Mud Race, Aaron has remained in the area and carpeted the floors of stars around the county and beyond.

He began his career in Heybridge, doing an apprenticeship with a now-retired flooring specialist who taught him all the tricks of the trade.

After working for five years in the industry he went to Australia to travel and work there.

He spent a year down under before returning to the area and was offered his old job back.

At that point he decided to go it alone and set up A Clarke Carpets and Floorings.

His old boss helped him and gave him some work.

Aaron eventually opened a little shop in Mayland before moving to his current larger showroom at the Red Lion Business Centre, on Burnham Road.

Now he has a team of seven friends and family despite never expecting to grow into a “proper business”.

Aaron said: “It all started with just me in a van and now I employ two freelance people and five people full time.

“I never thought it would go to the point where 7 people work for me.

“Someone recommended me to Sam Faiers, of The Only Way Is Essex,  and it grew from there.

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“Now I have done work for so many different people and it's grown and grown.

“I’ve done all of Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s house, Fern McCann, Gemma Collins, Olivia and Alex Bowen, Rochelle Humes’ kids’ playroom and will be working for Katie Piper this month.

“I want to keep pushing it and I don’t want my business to lose its personal touch.

“I want it to stay as a small business and be a unique brand.

“People gather we would be expensive, but if anything it has opened doors and we can be more competitive.”