IN terms of politics losing his seat – and county council leadership- may have been one step back but for Nick Clarke’s new business venture it is feet firmly forward.

Mr Clarke has swapped the corridors of power to return to business to launch the first in a planned chain of chiropody clinics.

“I have been working with a young enthusiastic team to help develop a new business based around feet and foot comfort,” he said.

He also revealed the philosophy behind the new venture as being “pampered tootsies and a relaxed mind”.

Mr Clarke added: “Feet are often neglected and are sometimes the cause of joint and muscle pain elsewhere in the body. The trouble is how many of us go to seek help?

We hope to provide a complete service from chiropody, to massage and beauty. Key to success will be a fantastic customer experience. “A lot of research has been carried out and we hope to launch our first outlet this year, the first of many I hope.”

He said he hoped to open one clinic this year, five next and then hopefully develop a chain.

He said small businesses accounted for a sizeable chunk of the British economy and after running IT companies it was time for a change.

The key ingredients to success in any enterprise he said were the same and they were “passion, hard work, protect your cash and delivering the very best customer experience that can be achieved”.