Soaring costs killed my business, now I’m a HGV driver: Entrepreneur who enjoyed a gilded lifestyle with his own boat and plane reveals why he’s fled to a British overseas territory – and insists life is so good he’ll never go back

A British man has revealed he is closing his business and leaving the UK for a better life after rising costs at home devastated his companies.

Richard Ng-Zeederberg left the UK for Gibraltar, stating that increasing financial pressure had forced him to close the shop, lay off 30 staff and increase his personal debts.

The 39-year-old entrepreneur from Worcestershire said he had been disappointed by UK tax laws for a long time but believed things had “gotten worse” under the Labor Government.

After reaching her breaking point six months ago, she packed up and left.

After settling in the British Overseas Territory as a HGV driver, he has not looked back and thinks he will never return to the UK permanently.

‘I am an entrepreneur and I own many businesses. “I’ve been in Gibraltar for less than six months and I love it here,” he said.

‘The weather is great, the people are friendly and it’s like being away from home. I was tired of England’s weather and government.

‘UK tax laws haven’t helped and things have certainly gotten worse under the Labor Government.

Richard has retrained for his HGV license and is now enjoying a quieter life on the road

‘I also think that the VAT added to school fees due to my son’s private education had a significant impact on my decision.’

Richard ran several businesses Provided to the London hospitality area. He started to feel something in the capitalMajor change in the UK economy and spending behaviour”.

High rents and business rates caused Richard’s company to close, causing personal debts to spiral and thirty employees to be made redundant, prompting the businessman to sell all his UK assets, move abroad and start over.

He said: ‘I booked a flight, rented a flat and the rest is history. ‘I’m here today, living my best life.’

Richard added that his dissatisfaction with policies and regulations played a major role in his departure and that he would never return permanently.

He said: ‘UK tax laws struck me as unfair and the biggest deciding factor was the points system on driving licences. I felt like every time I turned to someone they were trying to take something from me: money, freedom, time.

‘I don’t miss anything about the UK except my family; but I can see them on video call and technology has helped me a lot.

Six months ago, after reaching a breaking point in UK tax laws, Richard packed his bags and left.

The 39-year-old entrepreneur from Worcestershire said he had been disappointed by UK tax laws for a long time but believed things had “gotten worse” under the Labor Government.

Now settled, Richard thinks his life in Gibraltar is probably less hectic, there is no pressure from the government, laws have been relaxed and local people are ‘generally happier’.

‘I’ve made so many friends since I’ve been here and it’s amazing how welcoming people are.

‘The language is English and the currency is Sterling, so it was very easy to settle in. I love it here and will never return to the UK except for a visit.’

Describing the collapse of his UK businesses and his subsequent move, he said: ‘Due to huge economic pressures and lack of support from the UK Government I had closed down my UK businesses.

‘So I decided to retrain as a HGV driver and got a job as a driver. Soon I was passing through Oxford and came onto a road that went from 50 mph to 40 mph and it was difficult to see the road signs because of the low-lying trees.

‘Just after the 40 mile per hour mark two police officers pointed speed cameras at me.

‘It then made me realize that I could lose my license and potentially my job due to the points collection law in the UK. So the police not only fined me, they also wanted to take away my right to work.

‘I was delivering cold food to supermarkets and that’s quite an important job.’

Detailing what he sold and the scale of his exit from the country, he said: ‘I left my family home after a divorce and closed my business.

Richard ran several businesses serving the London hospitality area. It was in the capital that he began to sense a ‘major shift in the UK economy and spending behaviour’.

High rents and business rates caused Richard’s company to close, causing personal debts to spiral and thirty employees to be made redundant, prompting the businessman to sell all his UK assets, move abroad and start over.

‘I sold my car, my boat and my plane. I kept my laptop for work. I raised £15,000 by selling everything.’

He also compared his expenses in the UK to Gibraltar, noting that he was mortgage-free, paying off before the big move. £2,800 a year for council tax, £500 a month for utilities and £300 a month for car costs.

Richard added: ‘My business costs were £10,000 a month and my tax burden was huge.

‘By contrast, living in Gibraltar is significantly cheaper. My rent is £950 a month, utilities are £80, groceries are £200 a month, I spend £100 on eating out and there’s no council tax. I use a scooter and fuel costs £30 a month.’

Now settled, Richard thinks his life in Gibraltar is probably less hectic, there is no pressure from the government, laws have been relaxed and local people are “generally happier”.

He said: ‘I go visit the beach three or four times a week, swim and relax. ‘I love walking and meeting new people.’

He added that his family in Britain supported the move too, sharing: ‘My mum and dad said they would miss me but they knew the reasons and supported me hugely. ‘They’re happy for me and they see that I’m happy in Gibraltar too.’