A millionaire Bradford entrepreneur has come out of retirement to go back into business with the aim of creating jobs for unemployed people.

Paul Meer, 61, is returning to the property protection and germ treatment field in which he previously succeeded by providing housing associations, local authorities and other public bodies a range of services at rock-bottom prices.

He has launched Quality Eradication Services Today Ltd (QEST) as the public sector braces itself for swingeing cutbacks. Paul was also motivated to return after being approached by former staff who had lost their jobs at the firm he founded and sold to a national operation in 2002.

Based at Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford, QEST provides mould eradication, health and energy thermal insulation and a bio-fogging service which tackles the majority of bacteria, including micro-organisms such as HIV, hepatitis, swine and bird flu and fungi such as mould spors.

The new company is working in partnership with Virusafe which produces a range of infection control chemicals. The Nottinghamshire-based company is providing training for QEST staff to ensure they meet certified competence levels.

Eleven jobs have so far been created by QEST, which was formally launched by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Peter Hill, at an event attended by senior managers from Bradford Council departments and other public bodies.

Mr Meer is hoping to expand QEST and create several hundred jobs. He said: “I’m confident that the demand is out there from the public sector. We are charging eight-year-old prices while offering high standards from fully-trained people.

“There are operators out there who are overcharging and not delivering a good service. We are offering a Rolls Royce service at Ford Anglia prices.”

Paul, a former teacher and social worker, is hoping to replicate the success of his original enterprise, which he started in a garage in Eccleshill, which provided jobs for long-term unemployed people in Bradford.

Fernlee Industries quickly expanded to a turnover of around £1m and 50 staff. The business was sold to property protection giant Orbis.

Paul Meer said: “Unfortunately, they lost focus on that part of their operations, which resulted in some of my former employees losing their jobs. I was approached by them and it spurred me on to come out of retirement and once again try and build up a business employing jobless people.

“We are working with the Jobcentre to find suitable recruits with the right attitude and determination to succeed who will receive full training.

“With housing associations, local councils, the NHS and other public services coming under the cosh through Government cutbacks, I believe we are in the right place at the right time to succeed.”