Warsaw Voice - Business Booming for Poles in Britain

By Marek Grzybowski
23 May 2007

Poles are more thorough and efficient workers than Scots, according to a survey of building company owners conducted by Scottish Construction Now. Three-quarters of people questioned in the survey held such a view.

Owners of firms in England, in particular in London, have a similar opinion.

A recent Accession Monitoring Report, published by the British Home Office, or interior ministry, says that nearly 310,000 Poles were employed in Britain at the end of last year. According to unofficial data, the number is twice as large at times of peak activity in the construction industry.

Poles have established over 40,000 firms in Britain. "More and more Poles are launching their own business," says Adalbert Witkowski, owner of an employment agency and publisher of the Cooltura weekly and founder of the PRL24 (or Polskie Radio Londyn) internet radio station. "Various kinds of services are popular, but establishing your own building company is especially popular," adds Witkowski.

The massive inflow of Poles to Britain has brought with it an increase in demand for Polish food. "Due to the boom, I decided to open not only stores but also a wholesaler's with Polish food," says Magda Harvey, the owner of Polish Specialities in Hammersmith and a popular Polish restaurant at the Orzeł Biały (White Eagle) club in Balham, London.

The demand is so great that Harvey has launched Polish products under her own brand name. "I have recently signed a contract for the delivery of Polish food with two large British retail chains that predicted the boom. London residents are increasingly choosing to shop in our stores," she says.

The Silver Catering firm was established by Kamila Wiśniewska, winner of the Miss Polonia 1998 beauty pageant, and her husband Tomasz Gałka. The firm has a staff of 650 and provides services to receptions and events in London in venues including royal apartments.

"Poles and Polish firms have an established position, and British firms are not only interested in Polish workers but also Polish products and business contacts with Polish enterprises," says Krzysztof Trepczyński, a business expert from the Polish embassy in London.