“We were desperate to find new space for our businesses and would have never dreamed of securing such an amazing location let alone setting up a creative hub for creative people. We would have never had this opportunity without CWRT’s support.”
The owner of dressmaking pattern design and sewing courses business “Sew Me Something” Jules Fallon and her partner Charlie Budd, the owner of the photography and video production business Chin Badger Media, have become catalysts for a creative hub that has been set up in rural Warwickshire.
Both businesses had outgrown their previous premises during periods of growth and knew they needed to scale up their offering to take it to the next level. It urged the couple to start the search for new premises. After extensive efforts, they came across the Tudor-listed building located in rural Warwickshire a few minutes from Alcester. This picturesque location seemed like a perfect place for their creative businesses and the couple quickly fell in love with the idyllic setup.
However, the building was completely empty and needed a lot of work to make the space suitable for business operations. Such an extensive project required a large investment and raising the funds between the two businesses would have put a pause to their growth and risked missing out on the opportunity of the new premises.
With the help of the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), Jules utilised the Local Communities and Enterprise Fund combined with the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) to expand Sew Me Something and had nothing but praise for the Trust.
Charlie decided to apply for the Duplex Investment Fund managed by the CWRT. It offered a great funding alternative to Charlie’s business as it has a grant element which allows the business to invest in further expansion after the initial funds were utilised for capital expenditure.
Whilst the funding allowed the renovations to begin there was still the question of the additional free spaces available in the building. The couple started reaching out to the business community and thanks to their wide network of creative and other businesses they have found a high demand for business space.
Some of the businesses that have joined the creative hub now known as ‘The Makers Space’ include White Ivy Flowers, White Violet wedding and event stylists, bespoke, sewn felt banner makers The Banner Department and PR & marketing firm Talking Tortoise.
The Makers’ Space also hosts craft workshops from other creatives, has a lovely, oak-beamed co-working space, room hire for events or meetings, an art and gifts gallery and haberdashery store, and a coffee shop open seven days a week. There are many other plans afoot.
The Maker’s Space at Longbarn Village, Alcester is a great example of how utilising financial support can skyrocket growth needed at the right time. Due to the high demand for Duplex, applications are now closed for Warwickshire businesses until the new year. However, there is still other funding available for Coventry-based businesses.
To make sure you don’t miss your chance to utilise this innovative debt and grant combination please get in touch with CWRT and find out if you might be eligible.
Duplex Investment Fund is part funded byCWRT, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Midlands Engine.