Episode 1 of our new podcast series – recorded here at Ely Work Collective. Click here to listen to the episode.
When Scott Colling handed in his notice as UK Sales Director at the world’s largest AI testing company, he wasn’t chasing a startup dream or a Silicon Fen opportunity. He was going back to basics — opening a computer repair shop on a quiet street in Ely.
Two years later, the Ely Computer Centre is thriving. We sat down with Scott to talk about what it really takes to leave the corporate world behind and build something of your own.
The Moment It Clicked
Scott spent a decade at Vodafone, eventually becoming Global Head of Acquisition — a role that had him travelling the world and working with blue-chip companies. But as his career grew, something started to feel off.
“I struggled, particularly as I got more senior, to feel my moral alignment with the way the corporate world works. It’s not that anything was wrong or immoral — it just wasn’t the way I wanted to live.”
When he moved to a new company and found the same frustrations waiting for him, he realised the problem wasn’t the employer. It was corporate life itself.
Having kids sealed the decision. The more senior he became, the more work demanded of his personal time. The balance had tipped too far.
Finding a Shop (The Hard Way)
One of the biggest surprises for anyone starting a business is how difficult it can be to find premises. Scott quickly discovered that rental agents weren’t interested in new businesses — regardless of what you were planning to do.
The breakthrough came from good old-fashioned legwork. Scott printed leaflets and handed them to every independent business on the high street. One of those businesses referred him to Barry Lonsdale, who owned Cloister Antiques and happened to have an empty space next door.
“I walked in, said who I was, and what I was doing. He needed a new printer. I had one for him the next day. He said, ‘Tell me more — what are your plans?’ I mentioned I was looking for a unit. He handed me the key.”
They did a deal on the spot. Without that chance encounter, Scott isn’t sure how much longer it would have taken to get started.
The takeaway? Local landlords taking a chance on new businesses is what keeps high streets alive. And sometimes the best opportunities come from simply showing up and introducing yourself.
The Rollercoaster of Retail
Running a shop means riding the waves of consumer confidence. When energy prices spike and household budgets tighten, people delay buying new computers. Scott learned to lean into the quiet periods rather than panic.
“When it’s quiet, I go through all those things I’ve wanted to do but haven’t had time for. Some seem small and menial, others are bigger marketing strategies. You have to trust your business model — it always comes back.”
He also relies on the community around him. Chatting with neighbouring businesses — the sweet shop, the ice cream parlour, the barbers — helps him gauge whether a slow week is about him or the wider market.
Regulars at a Computer Shop?
One of Scott’s biggest surprises has been developing regulars — not just customers who return when something breaks, but people who pop in for a chat.
“I have a gentleman who goes for a walk around Ely every week, and every time he drops in to see me. Sometimes we talk tech, sometimes he tells me about his holiday. Some people even bring me cake.”
It’s a reminder that independent businesses offer something no corporate chain can replicate: a face, a relationship, genuine care about the outcome. When someone buys a computer from Scott, his first instruction is simple: call me when you need something.
Keeping Vulnerable People Safe Online
The question Scott gets asked more than any other is about security. A large part of his customer base are retired people who didn’t grow up with computers — they came from a world built on trust, where a phone call from BT really was from BT. Today’s scam emails and phishing texts don’t trigger the same red flags for them as they might for younger generations.
Scott sees the fallout regularly: people arriving at his shop after being scammed, sent by their bank to get their computer checked. He often doesn’t charge them — adding a bill to the trauma feels wrong.
Beyond repairs, he gives talks at local groups and assisted living facilities, passionate about spreading one simple message: look out for the vulnerable people in your life. Make sure they’re not using outdated, unsupported devices. You don’t have to buy new, but you do have to stay current. It’s about community, he says — those of us who spot the red flags need to help protect those who don’t.
Advice for Anyone Thinking of Making the Jump
Scott doesn’t sugarcoat the fear of leaving corporate security behind — the salary, the holiday pay, the sick leave. But he’s clear-eyed about the actual risk.
“Your worst-case scenario is you go back. If you’re good at what you do, you’ve probably already built a network. You could try it for six months, and if it doesn’t work, make a single phone call and get another job. That’s your worst case. Your best case is you build something you love, on your own terms.”
His practical advice: know what you’re not good at. Scott’s first move was signing with an accountancy firm. He could have fumbled through the numbers himself, but outsourcing that work has paid for itself many times over.
What’s Next?
The plan is growth. Scott needs more space — both for stock and for staff. A larger premises would let him carry more inventory, offer new services (printers, for one), and eventually bring on employees.
“I want to be able to give someone their first job, like I got mine. When I was sixteen, I rang every IT shop in Cambridge until one guy said yes. I want to do that for somebody else.”
Where to Find Ely Computer Centre
- In person: Opposite the Lamb Hotel on Lynn Road (closest parking: St Mary’s)
- Phone: 01353 505750
- Email: help@elycomputercentre.co.uk
Made in Ely is our podcast series chatting to local business owners about what they’re building and how they’re doing it. Recorded at Ely Work Collective. Follow us for future episodes. https://madeinely.podbean.com/
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