CORONAVIRUS has failed to dampen the spirits of a businessman and his beloved four-legged friend - despite it causing a dramatic drop in his work.

Andy Herbert’s branding businesses Inferno, which provides workwear and clothing to companies across the UK, saw a dive in sales as staff were being made redundant and furloughed.

But instead of falling into a slumber or being angry about his situation, Mr Herbert picked himself up and threw himself into a new venture.

He has now launched a professional garden care company with his pet Basset, Betty, and is offering NHS workers a 50 per cent discount.

Mr Herbert explained: “The industry that Inferno operates in is dying on its feet and will take a long time to recover from this. People are not buying uniforms at the moment because they are just not needed.”

“I was working ridiculous hours with Inferno and I was going launch the gardening business anyway and split my time between the two.

“I am one of those people who just can’t sit and do nothing. I couldn’t go from woking 60-80 hours a week to just nothing.

“So I thought I’d just take the bull by the horns and get Hound Force set up.”

He revealed that his dog Betty, who accompanies him on his jobs, was the driving force behind the company - and is definitely the boss.

Mr Herbert said: “I suppose the real catalyst came in September 2018 when my life was turned upside down - and very much for the better - by the arrival of a four-legged young lady by the name of Berry - my absolutely adorable rescue Basset Hound.

“Clearly Betty has been the inspiration behind Hound Force in many respects. My appreciation of countryside walks with no mobile signal and having to take time out for Betty’s routine being the main factor in realising there is more to life than chasing the business rainbow.

“So Hound Force was conceived and plans were made to launch in summer 2020, but then the C-word arrived. Coronavirus has changed out lives as we know them probably forever. My business has taken a nosedive, because workwear and branded items are no longer necessary for a furloughed or redundant workforce, so there was no choice other than to launch Hound Force a few months early.”

For more information visit www.houndforce.co.uk, call 07492 050092, email [email protected] or visit the company’s Facebook page.

Mr Herbert stressed that Inferno is still open for business and will be ready to serve workforces once the corornavirus pandemic is over and people return to work.