Dorothy Coleman (left), Rural Enterprise and Olivia Hatch (right) Talton Lodge

A Stratford-upon-Avon entrepreneur is urging rural businesses to make the most of the Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) scheme after her company benefitted from investment that will help it nearly double its turnover in 2010. Olivia Hatch, who runs the 20-acre Talton Lodge in Newbold-on-Stour, has used a £7,000 funding boost to develop the existing woodland, orchards and parklands into an experienced based tourism operation that is looking to offer a sustainable venue for meetings, team building and entertainment.

The improvements are the latest part of Olivia’s plans to transform the family home into one of the West Midlands’ most attractive corporate venues and this has already resulted in new clients and four part-time jobs.

“Our vision is to provide a completely sustainable experience, with the refurbished barn part of a small complex of farm buildings, tipis, bell tents and yurts – all created to have minimal impact on the land. Most of the food we serve to guests has been grown or reared in the onsite smallholding, not to mention the range of activities we offer, such as canoeing, bicycling, bushcraft and archery.”

Olivia, who used to work as a chef in London with Gary Rhodes and Fergus Henderson, continued:

“The Rural Enterprise Grant has really made a difference to completing the latest part of our growth and has given us the additional capital to complete the car park and install the level of audio visual facilities we must have, in order to compete with our rivals and attract clients from SMEs through to big multi-nationals.

“Pleasingly, the administrative process was very easy to complete and the grants team were brilliant in making sure they assisted us on every stage of the application. She added: “REG can have a real impact on your company so I urge all rural businesses to see what it can do for them.”

Funded under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which is managed by Advantage West Midlands and administered by Herefordshire Council, Rural Enterprise Grants are available for farmers and micro businesses developing and diversifying into food and drink, environmental technologies and tourism improvements.

Funding of up to 40% (or £62,500) can be secured towards projects that range from new processing machinery and supply chain equipment to energy installations and improvements to tourism experiences.

Four companies in Coventry and Warwickshire have so far benefitted from the scheme, with nearly £60,000 awarded towards the development of these rural businesses which will create 18 new jobs, enhance the tourism offer in the county and allow the expansion of local food & drink production facilities.

Olivia picked up the story: “The fact that we can combine unique settings with the best facilities is already paying dividends for our business, with Sky Television hosting two meetings here and more blue chip clients in the pipeline. I genuinely expect us to double turnover this year and come close to £80,000.”

Dorothy Coleman, Rural Enterprise Grants Manager, is also keen for like-minded companies to come forward.

“REG is all about giving rural businesses access to additional funding to help them evolve with the current economy and embark on projects that will identify new revenue streams and safeguard jobs.

“Talton Lodge is a perfect example of the difference it can make and I’m delighted we’ve been able to support such an exciting and unique venture through both our programme and a £10,000 Redundant Building Grant.”