Business grant helps new guest house open in Oswestry

On Saturday 7 September 2013, the Laurels Guest House in Oswestry welcomed its first customers after converting the property into a guest house.

The Laurels Guest House was supported with a £5,000 grant through the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) to help with the creation of three new en suite guest bedrooms and a loft conversion to house the owners, Howard and Kim Martin.

The business grants are funded by the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Shropshire Council. The scheme has recently received extra funding to allow it to continue for 12 months until December 2014.

Helen Hunter-Hayes, project officer for the BEF, said:

“We are delighted that our funders have injected a further £250,000 to allow the scheme to run until December 2014. Howard and Kim Martin were awarded this grant as part of a business diversification programme and have invested over £65,000 into this project, they have produced a fantastic result and I wish them every success in their new business.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“The grant scheme has already supported 90 businesses and created 66 new jobs.  It’s excellent news that the additional funding has been secured.  So far these extra funds have supported eight new businesses, with a further six in the pipeline.  We’d particularly like to hear from anyone considering starting up a new business in the area.”

Several other local businesses have benefitted from grants from the BEF.  Newgate Clocks received £5,000 for the installation of a Mezzanine floor. £5,000 was also awarded to Globestock Engineering for a CNC machine and to Fabdec ltd, Ellesmere, for a pickling plant.  Fabdec ltd was also awarded a further £3,000 for energy efficiency improvements. These grants have created 11 new jobs between them.

To find out more about the fund and how it could benefit your business visit the website at shropshire.gov.uk or phone 01743 252596.

Slideshow photo [left to right], Karen Pringle – Oswestry Tourist Office, Val Schofield – Proprietor Bryn B&B and owner, Kim Martin joint owner of the Laurels Guest House proudly displaying the ERDF plaque.