IMAGINE a country without any private enterprise. Where all shops and businesses are state-owned; all workers are employees of the government; and commercial competition does not exist.

Although an alien concept in the UK, where advertising, commercial rivalry and business start-ups are a way of life, a business-free world was a reality in Communist Poland.

It is therefore no wonder that many Poles, freed from the restrictions of their former government employers, flocked to become their own bosses when the regime collapsed in 1989.

The first eight years after Communism fell saw a massive explosion in the number of small businesses on a scale that few had predicted, with more than two million Poles registering to launch their own enterprise.

Now the nation of small shopkeepers and entrepreneurs has exported its business-minded spirit to Scotland - where the number of Polish-owned businesses is soaring.

Although many newspaper reports claim Scotland's latest wave of immigrants is filling the gaps in our poorly-paid hospitality and construction industries, many are shunning "wage slave" jobs to set up on their own, says the Edinburgh Chambers of Commerce.

Delicatessens catering to Edinburgh's 30,000 homesick Poles in need of the familiar fare of hearty soups or dumplings were the first to spring up, but more and more Polish entrepreneurs are now looking to more innovative ways to earn money - and integrate into the local community.

Decorating, ceramic tiling and child-minding are among the Polish skills on offer to Scots, while a flexible approach, hard-working attitude and a high level of education gives the new business-owners a good chance of success.

The hard work is already paying off for businesses such as Leith Walk's Deli Polonia - the first Polish deli in the city - which opened last year and has just scooped the prestigious Grahame Cunninghame Award for Excellence from the Chamber of Commerce.

They have now been joined by three more delis in Leith, as well as the first Polish restaurant, Bigos. After brisk trade and rave reviews in the first few months, owner Darak Kryzsik is already thinking of opening a second branch next year.

Sebastian Sosenko, who has just set up the Pinetree Bakery on Home Street, is hoping to have some of the same success. He was helped by a grant from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust, as was ceramic tiler Rafal Gwozdz.

One of the more unusual success stories is web designer Albert Fret, who set up the site www.szkocja.net along with a group of fellow Poles. It provides advice on living and working in Scotland and receives 5000 hits a day.

While the majority of Edinburgh's Polish community are workers and students who intend to stay only a year or two, around 20 per cent plan to settle in the long-term and many of those are keen to set themselves up in a secure business.

A Polish business evening held by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce to advise immigrants on the legalities and practicalities of private enterprise was swamped - attracting more than 120 people.

Chamber spokesman Graham Bell said: "We were certainly very surprised by the number of people who turned up. There are very keen people with great skill levels in many different areas.

"They are legendary because they intend to work for their living and they don't need a whole lot of management. It's only natural that many of them will be aspiring to work for themselves, rather than just be wage slaves."

Roger Horam, learning manager at the Chamber of Commerce, says: "We know employers are enthusiastic about the work ethic of our influx of Polish migrants, but this event, when we were snowed under with live inquirers, shows they are also ambitious, capable and willing.

"As a shot in the arm for Edinburgh's economy, we couldn't have asked for more."

He adds that for Poles, most of whom are under 35 years old and university-educated, setting up business in Scotland is easier than at home.

He adds: "There's certainly no support, like there is here. You're doing it all by yourself. There's a lot more money in the economy here. Edinburgh's economy is booming."

With the European Union set to expand further next month, Edinburgh could be set to see to see Bulgarian and Romanian shops and delis appearing in the city over the coming years.

But Roger Horam is doubtful. He says: "There will be more restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians moving to Britain, and their economy is very different from Poland."

He adds: "But it will certainly be interesting to see what happens in the next few years."

'Restaurant started doing well right away'

JUST as the cuisine of Italian, Chinese and Indian immigrants did a generation ago, Polish food is starting to influence Edinburgh's culinary culture. Darak Krzysik and his brother Tidufz set up the city's first Polish restaurant, Bigos, in Leith Walk earlier this year.

Darak, 30, moved to Edinburgh four years ago, and set up the business after three years' experience as a chef in an Italian restaurant. He is now receiving excellent reviews for his authentic home-cooked dishes, including potato pancakes, dumplings and stuffed cabbage leaves.

He said: "A lot of Polish people coming here, and sometimes we do miss our food. There was only a Polish food shop here before, so I realised we should open a restaurant."

He set up the business by borrowing money from friends and relatives, as well as his own savings.

He said: "It started doing well right away. I run it with my brother, and my girlfriend helps when we're busy. I think we now have more Scottish people coming here. We'd like to open another one, maybe in the city centre. The important thing is finding the right place."