A YOUNG entrepreneur who started up a business at the of 17 is celebrating after receiving an award for Best Lifestyle Shop of 2017.

Kiefer Shea-Godden, of Maesglas, opened up his own sandwich bar in Queen’s Hill, Newport in 2011 and now owns two Lifestyle Express stores - one behind Newport train station and the other on Stow Hill.

And at the age of 24, Mr Shea-Godden was awarded an award for Best Lifestyle Shop of 2017 from Blakemore Retail - which he said he is “very proud of”.

Mr Shea-Godden, said he has known he wanted to get into business since the age of 15 but never thought he would be the owner of two shops at such a young age.

He said: “I have always been into business. When I was younger I used to make thing like hanging baskets or little wishing wells and stuff at the age of 15 that I go and sell on my estate.

“I opened up the sandwich shop at 17 and had that for two years and then left to work for other companies.

“Then three years ago I took over the shop behind the train station and around six months ago I opened up the new shop in Stow Hill.”

The 24-year-old was supported by fellow business owner Gulam Mutaza - who runs the Lifestyle Express store on Cardiff - when he was setting up his sandwich shop at 17.

The 24-year-old used to work as a paperboy for Mr Mutaza from the the age of 13.

He also said he has had a lot of support from company AF Blakemore and Son.

Mr Shea-Godden said it’s thanks to the help he had received that he is the ‘proud’ owner of the two stores.

He said: “I take my brother to work and have my staff as well who are very helpful and work well.

“People come into the shops and don’t believe its my shop.

“They can’t seem to believe it.”

Mr Shea-Godden said he is also looking into the possibility of opening up another Lifestyle Express shop in the New Year.

He said: “I had a discussion at the awards and we are probably looking for something new for the new year."