A ramen business - running out of a pub in St Albans - has been visited by a government minister as it was recognised as the 100,000th business to benefit from the government's Start Up Loans scheme.

Ramen Electra, running from The Beehive on London Road, was visited by the parliamentary under secretary of state for enterprise, markets and small business Kevin Hollinrake MP yesterday (Thursday, February 2).

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The member of parliament for Thirsk and Malton took a tour of the pub's facilities, and even tried his hand at making the Japanese noodle dish.

Herts Advertiser: Ramen Electra is located inside the Beehive pub.Ramen Electra is located inside the Beehive pub. (Image: Pearce Bates)

The Start Up Loans scheme provides loans of £500 to £25,000 for new businesses.

James Fraser, owner and chef at Ramen Electra, told The Herts Advertiser of his pride at seeing his business visited by a government minister, and being the 100,000th business to benefit from the scheme.

Herts Advertiser: Kevin Hollinrake MP tried his hand at making ramen.Kevin Hollinrake MP tried his hand at making ramen. (Image: British Business Bank)

He said: "It's quite a privilege! It's great to have publicity - for a small business like me any exposure is great - but something like this is quite a privilage. 

"So happy days!"

Herts Advertiser: Ramen Electra is the 100,000th business to benefit from the scheme.Ramen Electra is the 100,000th business to benefit from the scheme. (Image: British Business Bank)

James continued, speaking of how Ramen Electra started: "So, I started it as a little pop-up takeaway during lockdown.

"We were literally serving it through the window at the front of the pub!

Herts Advertiser: A certificate was presented to James Fraser.A certificate was presented to James Fraser. (Image: British Business Bank)

"Then when we (the pub) reopened after lockdown, we carried on doing it as a takeaway.

"Then we did it for a couple of nights for dine-in as well.

"We had the idea to do it as a full-time business, talking with the owners, they were quite happy for me to take over the kitchen here."

The pub now serves Ramen Electra's noodles six days a week as it's main food offering.

Kevin Hollinrake MP was quick to praise Ramen Electra, and the work that James has done. 

The MP told The Herts Advertiser: "It's inspiring to be honest! You hear the story from James, the crisis of Covid led to an opportunity for a new business.

Herts Advertiser: Kevin Hollinrake MP described James' story as 'inspiring'.Kevin Hollinrake MP described James' story as 'inspiring'. (Image: British Business Bank)

"He was running the pub here thinking 'what can I do during lockdown?' and started making ramen, which he's always wanted to do.

"He makes his own noodles, incredibly! They taste fantastic, the best ramen I've ever had!"

Richard Bearman, managing director for small business lending at the British Business Bank, also attended the event.

Herts Advertiser: Richard Bearman of the British Business Bank also attended the event.Richard Bearman of the British Business Bank also attended the event. (Image: British Business Bank)

He told The Herts Advertiser: "It's brilliant! It's always so enlivening to come out and see our customers and recipients, because you see the passion and the energy.

"I think what's really cool here is that, I wouldn't say it's without competition locally, but it is pretty unique.

"As we saw today, with the minister making the ramen, it's fresh, it's there and made to order.

"So, I hope that the people of St Albans do come out and support our customer."

Since it's launch, the Start Up Loans scheme has supported 165 new businesses in St Albans, costing £1.7m overall.

For further information about the scheme, visit www.startuploans.co.uk.