BELIEVE in yourself, is sage advice from a less than middle aged Bradford-born entrepreneur who says anyone can achieve what they want if they work and try hard enough.

Simon Pollard, born and bred in Sandy Lane, has just added 42 The Calls Hotel, in Leeds, to his growing portfolio of successful businesses.

“The hotel went into administration. I walked in and knew I wanted it. It is in a wonderful position on the river Aire waterfront and I want it to be the number one five star hotel in Leeds,” said the 42-year-old.

Looking at spending £5 million on the investment he added: “I am extremely excited about the future and huge potential of this hotel and look forward to creating something special in support of our long-standing customers. I am of firm belief that I have the ability to reset the vision whilst reigniting the fundamental, core values of 42 The Calls Hotel. This comes from having the right capability and balance of ambition to help rescue what has been a diminishing local brand in desperate need of significant investment for some years.”

Mr Pollard, who has a degree in design and marketing from the University of Wolverhampton, has spent the last 23 years building several highly successful businesses, one of the first of which was Intouch Advance, a telecommunications firm based in Saltaire.

In 2015 he was awarded SME of the year at the Bradford Means Business Awards run by the Telegraph & Argus.

He has since gone on to establish 22 Street Lane Nursery, which is full at £70 per day with a long waiting list.

He has also diversified and has a medical device, prosthetic limb company, and has plans to be the world number one in the next 16 months.

With a worth of between £60 and £70 million, Mr Pollard says he is able to give back now and employs 140 staff across all his businesses.

The father of three says ambition and giving himself goals keeps him working and diversifying.

“I have proved that anyone can achieve things if they put their minds to it.

“Go with your gut feeling and believe in yourself and know that things are within your own capability,” he added.