funding success stories

Motormouse

Motormouse.com is a Car brokering Company, acting as the negotiator between the customer and a Car Dealership, to secure a substantial discount for a new car on the customers behalf.

The Company has gone from strength to strength in the last 2 years, and was in need of an over haul of it's website www.motormouse.com (opens a new window), to take it forward into the future, being only a small company only had limited resources to put towards development of the new website.

Thanks to the Economic Enabling Grant from Chichester District Council, Motormouse has now been able to redevelop its website which has made a huge difference to the business, "With the new website now up and running we can offer a much more professional service to our customers, it is also much easier and clearer to use the new site, with an improved car search facility and much faster relay of information, which were two things our old site was not capable of achieving easily"

Motormouse has two directors, Keith and Michelle Hood. Keith comes from the Motor Industry and worked as Group Accountant decided to use his knowledge of how the industry works to benefit both customer and Dealerships alike.

Michelle runs the Sales/Customer care and administrative side of the business, coming from an NHS Administration background, Michelle has used her knowledge and experience of dealing with the General public to ensure the smooth day to day running of the Company. "We can now take Motormouse.com forward and feel the Grant has been a huge help in achieving this, it was not complicated to apply for, and we have received a very efficient and courteous service from Kim Pellett the Enabling Grant Officer and her team, who have guided us all the way".

Surfs up!

Surfers across the world will be able to kit themselves out with the latest fashions before hitting the beaches, thanks to a helping hand from the Council.

Tucano Beach, a surf shop based in West Witterings, has benefited from a £1,000 grant from the Council in order to offer its services online.

I had been looking at various ways for increasing sales, and developing an e-commerce website was something I believed would help do this. As the cost of this development was quite significant for a small business, I hesitated, until a friend mentioned to check with Chichester District Council for possible grants. Said Clive Orchard, the owner of Tucano Beach.

On doing this I discovered that the Council offered grants that would cover 50% of the web development costs up to £1,000. I applied for the grant, which was a very easy process. The application was accepted within the week of applying and the council staff were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the process. Once the website was completed, I informed the council by email and, again within the week, I received a cheque payment from them. Without the grant, I probably would not have proceeded with the website, so this was a very much appreciated help to my business.

The website is now live (www.tucanobeach.com (opens a new window)) and we are in the process of adding our new range of Summer beach/surf wear to the site. It is early days, but we are hoping that the website will prove a success and benefit the business from a customer service and financial aspect. Early feedback from customers and friends is very encouraging.

If you own a business and would like help to get online or enhance an existing web site to make use of electronic marketing & trading (e-commerce); or carry out an environmental audit, please contact Economic Development Service on 01243 534669 or business.support@chichester.gov.uk (opens a new window)
The Council may pay for 50% of the cost of the project, up to a maximum of £1,000.

‘Mrs Plumber’

Teresa Mulchrone used the GET SET programme to help her start her own business, Mrs Plumber. She lives in the Wensley Fold ward of Blackburn, which is one of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK. She saw a market opportunity for a first class plumbing service, particularly bathroom installation.

The business is doing well, and Teresa has the GET SET programme to thank for helping to establish her company. The programme assisted Teresa in the critical first stages, particularly with advice and assistance on creating a business plan, a very important aspect of starting up any business.

She said:“

It was brilliant to get my ideas into a structured business plan, it helps you get organised and its great to have professional support to turn my ideas into reality.

Bob Adams

Bob Adams had been a consultant for a number of years within the energy sector. He had been developing a new product for the logistics market that measures the optimum energy usage for warehouses. This system then modifies the energy levels within the warehouse allowing them to gain savings on their energy bills in excess of 15%.

This is particularly important for logistics companies as one of their largest overheads is energy.

Bob had spent a number of years perfecting the product and had used up much of his own resource to get it to market. But Bob, now in his sixties, needed some further investment to get the units installed into the customers warehouses. Although the banks were prepared to go so far via a small overdraft, Bob needed additional working capital to achieve that.

Bob turned to the Business Enterprise Fund who saw the potential in this product and decided that they would support it with a £30k loan.

Bob was delighted and is now in the middle of rolling out these devices across the country for such people as DHL, Sainsburys and other well known logistics companies.

Butterfly Snacks

A Blackburn company that received support from Blackburn with Darwen Councils Get Set business start up programme, including advice and assistance in preparing its business plan, has subsequently won a top regional award for its innovation.

Butterfly Snacks, a family owned business in Shear Brow, which makes snacks for coeliacs and people with other health issues, has won the Bank of Ireland award for the most innovative product at the Food Northwest Awards 2007.

The company worked in conjunction with Kendal College and Manchester Metropolitan University to develop its range of gluten-free savoury products.

Managing director of Butterfly Snacks, Mohammed Tariq Malik said: “

Thanks to the Councils Get Set Business Start Up programme, I received a start up grant of £1,600 to purchase necessary manufacturing equipment to get the business up and running. I also received ongoing support through an accredited business advisor; John Ball, and this was invaluable through the first few months of trading.”

Jiggery Pokery

Jane Coulthard launched Jiggery Pokery from her home in Westlinton in July 2006. Jiggery Pokery is an accessories and jewellery business and Jane was able to establish the business after meeting Bev Bamford, Longtown Market Initiatives business advisor, and completing a business start up course.

Word spread fast about her exclusive products, and the business expansion and marketing grants from Longtown MTI subsequently enabled Jane to launch Jiggery Pokery online in July 2007. The marketing grant assisted Jane in extending awareness into businesses in Carlisle and distributing mailings to past customers, promoting the new website.

Jane says:“

I felt very planned and prepared when I first started the business but the online aspect is rather more a leap into the unknown. The Longtown MTI contacts, support and grant money have given me access to the right expertise and have enabled Jiggery Pokery to expand much faster than it could have done from just my own resources. Its a huge relief to know that there is advice and support available should I need it.”

Sash Curtain Makers

Founded by Jenny Oates and family, Sash Curtain Makers has grown into a respected organisation and has supplied soft furnishings to TV personalities, show homes and hotels and Clarence House.

Jenny Oates brought in Business Link West Yorkshire (BLWY) business advisers in July 2006 to look at forward business planning and to devise a marketing plan to increase sales. BLWY put the organisation in touch with the Manufacturing Advisory Service, who subsequently part-funded a three month project to look at production and operational services.

In addition, BLWY part-funded a marketing project, which will research and analyse their target markets to ultimately improve sales and profits further.

Jenny Oates said: “

Business Link have been nothing short of amazing for our organisation. Their contacts and advice have meant that we now have a five year business plan to improve sales by 20% year on year. Through BLWY I now have a business mentor to call on which I have found invaluable I feel so excited about the future now.”