Case Studies from October 2024

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Gedling

Natalee Onyeche set up her plant-based, natural skincare and wellness business in 2020 and today employs four people.

She has premises in Arnold as well as a website where she sells her skin and body products. Skin Solace also offers candle and soap-making workshops which are bookable online. Her business has evolved to also include management of a local market, by her premises, which has gone from zero to 25 new traders in recent months.

Challenges faced

It's been a challenge for Natalee to keep the retail arm of the business going. Skin Solace products are considered a luxury item, so the cost-of-living crisis has had a major impact on sales. Low income and sales made it difficult for her to employ people, leaving her to manage the shop and restricting her ability to utilise other income streams.

Thinking outside the box, Natalee applied for a market tender to help increase footfall for all the shops in the area. This has been successful in generating income, enabling her to keep the shop open and employ casual support.

Solution and Impact

Natalee has been supported by the Accelerator Project. This is delivered by East Midlands Chamber and funded by Gedling Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

After getting in touch with Council, Natalee heard about the 1-2-1 business support that was available from Accelerator. She has been helped by the Chamber’s Head of Business Support Services, Paul Stuart who conducted a business diagnostic. 

Natalee comments: “Paul supported me to have clarity about what I was doing and why. This brought me back to my original ideas for Skin Solace which were not about retail but more focussed on wholesale. Today I have two new retailers stocking my products and I also create white label bespoke products for other businesses.”

The support has enabled Natale to find the right people to support her business activities and to work in a more streamlined way. It’s given her the focus to go for her goals with confidence and clarity. Natalee has also attended the Gedling Business Support Network to hear about funding and other support available to her business and to network with other local business owners. In addition, the Council has also funded support for Retail Business Advisers which Natalee has taken advantage of through provider, Ovy Design.

Collaborations and new routes to market with Ovy Design

Wendy and Marcus Walker from Ovy Design played a crucial role in supporting Skin Solace by helping Natalee explore new routes to market. Through collaborations with other makers and trade customers, her business was able to access fresh opportunities to complement her high-street shop sales. Natalee remarked: “Thank you for making the time to visit me at my shop yesterday, it was much appreciated and felt motivating”. 

Ovy introduced Natalee to Full Square, a print and promotional gift company, and they are now collaborating to create a bespoke candle range for the client, helping Natalee reach a wider audience through corporate gifts. “This is amazing Claire, thank you. The mock up is so good! I am ready to go!”

She is also speaking with a local Pilates studio and a beauty salon to offer white-label bespoke skincare products. Ovy initiated a collaboration with the Rosie May Foundation to discuss producing a bespoke scented candle for the charity sector, providing new fundraising opportunities. This collaboration also presents an incredible marketing and PR opportunity for Skin Solace, as the Rosie May Foundation is supported by many large corporate businesses in the finance and wealth management sectors, and it attracts a great deal of media coverage.

Additionally, Ovy Design recommended other local retailers to have a market pitch at Natalee's AMP market, encouraging further collaboration and retail support within the high street community. This initiative not only strengthens the relationships among local businesses but also provides another income stream for Natalee, helping to boost footfall and revenue.

These collaborations and strategic partnerships have opened new income streams for Skin Solace, helping Natalee offset the challenges faced by retailers. The introduction to corporate clients and the exploration of white-label opportunities has set Skin Solace on a path to long-term growth and sustainability.

“I feel that everyone should get support. Working for yourself is no mean feat and induces anxiety when there is no guidance or someone to provide a listening ear which helps give a voice to your ideas. I’m very grateful for the support provided so far.”

- Natalee Onyeche, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Gedling Borough Council.

Sector: Online Retail

Location: Chesterfield

Founded in January 2021 by Annie Johnson, Ellenvale Interiors stands as a beacon of style and sophistication in the realm of soft furnishings.

The inception of this online store was not just a business venture for Annie; it was a passion project driven by a desire to blend the timeless charm of English country designs with the modern aesthetics of today.

The business is already expanding and has recently moved to larger premises based in Bridge Way, Chesterfield. It has three employees.

Challenges faced

Ellenvale Interiors faced a few challenges. The business was using a manual process in the warehouse for labelling, stock control, order processing, fulfilment and despatch. This was quite labour-intensive and left them open to errors. It also restricted their capacity to grow and meet their aspirations to sell their product range into large high-street retailers.

Supply chain problems were also hindering growth; reliability and turnaround time for cushion pads to meet its current customer demand were falling short.

Solution and Impact

Annie has been supported by Business Adviser, Peter Lawrence and the Accelerator Project. Accelerator is funded by Chesterfield Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Through one-to-one adviser support, they have not only identified the current challenges faced by Ellenvale Interiors but also sourced a number of solutions. This includes grant funding, digital processes and international trade support.

The business was successfully awarded a Growth Voucher which enabled them to enlist the support of Rob Gregory from Magnifica. Rob carried out technology and software research and produced recommendations on how to implement these. This included new warehouse hardware and systems to improve productivity.

Peter is also working with Ellenvale to scope and navigate potential Made Smarter and Innovate UK help for specialist manufacturing support and funding to bring cushion-making in-house.

Annie commented: “We have recently introduced new software that will help us streamline our processes and we expect to see more efficient order and despatch turnaround times.

Having the system in place has also led to a new role and is supporting our growth step change to work with well-known high street retailers and wholesalers.”

Annie and some of the team have also taken advantage of the fully funded Accelerator workshops and webinars including Advanced Guide to SEO, Introduction to Marketing AI and ChatGPT, The one-hour Google Ads Course, Champagne Marketing on a Lemonade Budget and more.

“The support from Peter at the Chamber has been invaluable.

It has led us down the right path in terms of finding the correct systems moving forward and it has also helped the whole team in terms of training.

- Annie Johnson, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Sector: Food and Drink

Location: Rushcliffe

Plantlicious Ltd was formed in 2019 and is based in West Bridgford, Nottingham.

When Simon Wills, founder, was faced with his son’s IBS diagnosis, he was inspired to seek natural solutions to improve gut health. His research quickly led him to the power of fibre, a key component for digestion and overall wellness. From this personal journey, Good-Fibes, a fortified prebiotic daily shot, was born; designed to bridge the fibre gap many people unknowingly face.

Challenges faced

Recognising that most adults and children consume just 15-20g of the recommended 30g of fibre daily, Simon envisioned a simple, convenient way to meet this shortfall. Each 60ml shot of Good-Fibes packs over 10g of prebiotic plant-based fibre, along with natural fruit purées, to nourish the gut and promote overall health. However, bringing this innovative product to market required expertise far beyond his knowledge.

Solution and Impact

Enter the Food and Drink Forum*, an Accelerator Project Partner. Simon first connected with the Forum after seeing a post on social media and immediately recognised their value in supporting his new venture.

Accelerator is funded through Rushcliffe Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Simon’s journey began at the University of Nottingham’s Food Innovation Hub through the Forum’s Innovation Voucher Scheme, where Simon worked closely with experts to develop and perfect the Good-Fibes formulation.

Once the recipe was locked in, the real work began, with the Forum offering critical support in food safety, hygiene, and the intricacies of labelling. Navigating what could and couldn’t be included on the Good-Fibes label was essential to ensuring the product met industry standards, while courses on pricing and production costs allowed Simon to determine ingredient and manufacturing costs, waste management, and market pricing - without sacrificing profitability.

The Food and Drink Forum’s assistance didn’t stop at theoretical learning. Simon was able to develop new flavour combinations and experiment with pasteurisation techniques during two valuable days in the development kitchen at the South West Food Hub in Weston-Super-Mare. This hands-on experience helped fine-tune the product’s shelf life through good pasteurisation processes, ensuring the pH was optimised for stability.

The continued collaboration has been invaluable as Simon investigates sustainable packaging solutions, such as moving from glass bottles to recyclable RPET bottles. This will allow Plantlicious Ltd. to reduce costs and meet consumer and retailer preferences for eco-friendly options.

Simon also credits the Food and Drink Forum for introducing him to marketing strategies through seminars led by Tessa Stuart, author of Flying Off the Shelves and Packed, who offered invaluable insights into positioning Good-Fibes for success in a competitive market.

Though Good-Fibes has yet to officially launch, the support Simon has received through the Accelerator Growth Voucher has been transformative. From development, courses and kitchen trials to ongoing innovation and market preparation, the guidance and resources provided by the Food and Drink Forum have empowered Simon and Plantlicious Ltd. to move confidently toward bringing Good-Fibes to market.

Without the support of the Food and Drink Forum and the Accelerator Voucher scheme Simon says he’s in no doubt that the business would not be at the stage it is due to the amount of funding that would have been required to take it to this stage.

*The Food and Drink Forum has closed but support is still available from East Midlands Chamber and Rushcliffe Borough Council.
 

“The Food and Drink Forum has been incredible. Without their knowledge, support, and the extensive network they’ve connected me with, I would have been at a loss for where to start. Good-Fibes is set for success thanks to their expertise.”

- Simon Wills, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Sector: Tourism

Location: Derbyshire Dales

Hoe Grange Holidays was set up in 2005 by David and Felicity Brown as a diversification development to provide additional income to support their dairy farm.

Situated on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District, near Brassington and offers sustainable tourism accommodation with four lodges, two glamping pods and a traditional Gypsy caravan.

Hoe Grange Holidays also specialise in accessible holidays with four accessible lodges - three of which have full wet-rooms - hoists and a range of equipment to help those less mobile enjoy their holidays.

Sustainability is hugely important to both David and Felicity. The site uses renewable energy fed back through ground and air source heating systems to maximise the benefit. Rather wonderfully, Hoe Grange Holidays also offer the opportunity to ‘bring your horse on holiday’ hosting over 80 horses per year! The business has three full-time employees and takes on three to five part-time seasonal staff.

Challenges faced

A key challenge the business has faced, particularly since the pandemic, is increased competition from new, part-time holiday let owners. This has seen the number of cottages or glamping units, and similar, dramatically increase so essentially you have more properties fighting for the same business.

For Hoe Grange Holidays it’s imperative to be a little different in what they do and make the enterprise as efficient as possible. The rise in energy costs, higher wages and difficulty in recruiting suitable staff, in such a rural area, has also made the last few years even more challenging.

Solution and Impact

Their key objective is to reduce the business’s carbon footprint as far as possible and with that reduce energy bills. Existing efforts have them well on the way to meeting their target of a negative carbon footprint (not just net-zero!)

To support this further, they have taken advantage of business support from the Accelerator Project. Accelerator is funded through Derbyshire Dales District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

They have received one-to-one support from Business Adviser Andy Bunn who provided access to a full premises energy audit. This was needed as Hoe Grange Holidays operates on the same site and energy supply as the farm. So, they needed to fully understand where and when the energy was being used and how best to reduce reliance on the National Grid supply.

Andy also supported them in preparing their application for a decarbonisation grant from the Council, which was approved in the summer, and has led to the installation of extra solar panels and a battery storage system.

The new installations have had a huge impact on the business. The business has already managed to reduce reliance on imported electricity by around 60%, and of that around 80% tends to be a cheap rate, night-time tariff. This is leading to savings of £800-£1000 per month!

The savings have allowed them to start thinking about succession planning, consolidating the position of general manager, which their daughter, Caroline started last year. This in turn has brought new marketing skills into the business and a newer, efficient way of working in the office using her industry skills gained over 15 years.

Caroline, David and Felicity have also taken advantage of some of the workshops and webinars including What’s New in Email Marketing, How to do your own PR: Putting your Tourism Business on the Map, Practical Guide to Paid Digital Advertising and Making the Most of Google Analytics.

David comments: “Although we had been planning this project for a few years, it had always been just out of reach financially. The expected results were just an estimate too, based on experience and market research.”
 

“The energy audit helped confirm our expectations and the advice from Andy ensured the process of applying was made as simple as possible.

Without the aid of grant funding, we would have been unlikely to have proceeded with this project for some considerable time, if at all."

- David Brown, Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council.

Sector: Arts

Location: High Peak

Artist Rob Wilson began his business, Rob Wilson Art, in 2013.

He had just moved to stylish new premises in Whaley Bridge, High Peak previously working from a studio in Glossop.

The business sells original art, including Rob’s own paintings and drawings, limited edition prints and greeting cards. They also feature the work of visiting artists. With two employees now in the business, Rob has started running art workshops from his new gallery.

Challenges faced

The main challenges being faced by the business were rising costs of materials to produce artwork, as well as increasing packaging and postage costs.

Business growth was also being hindered by outdated technology which was incompatible with the current software needed when preparing artwork files and marketing.

Solution and Impact

Rob Wilson Art has been supported by the Accelerator Project. Accelerator is funded by High Peak Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Adviser Manager, Abigail Phillips has been working with Rob to understand his business through a diagnostic and one-to-one support. Rob has been supported in applying for High Peak Borough Council’s SME Growth and Innovation Grant. This will help the business update its computer and purchase a new range of art greeting cards as well as art pencils for the workshops. The business will also be able to purchase a printer enabling it to produce fine art prints in-house.

Rob believes the reduced cost of producing art prints in-house will mean a 20% cost saving for the business. The new greeting card range provides a new revenue channel which also helps to promote the business to a new and wider audience. Rob estimates a 10% increase in revenue and new customers.

“The face-to-face meetings with Abigail were highly beneficial. They helped me make more educated business decisions.

She is highly experienced in business, and her advice was invaluable. Abigail advised me on the available grants that could help with my business needs, and how to go about applying for them.”

- Rob Wilson, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of High Peak Borough Council.

Sector: Arts and Recreation

Location: Bassetlaw

Corinna Reeves set up Laneham Conservation in September 2020 after lockdown and when she had completed a master’s degree in Object Conservation at the University of Lincoln.

Her business, based in Laneham near Retford, involves restoring and conserving objects of either historical, antique, vintage or some other significant value to the owner. She is also looking to raise awareness of preventative conservation whereby you are preventing or reducing the deterioration of items.

Challenges faced

While competition from other providers nearby may pose some challenges, the biggest obstacle has been around getting in front of the right audience to sell her services. She has identified that older, established people with higher disposable incomes are the target customers, but getting her business and services on offer in front of them has been quite challenging.

Moreover, the challenges of lockdown, the aftermath of Covid-19, the rising cost of living, and political uncertainty have all added pressure on this micro business, two of which are still in play.

Solution and Impact

Corinna has taken advantage of support from the Accelerator Project to help her grow her business. This is delivered by East Midlands Chamber and funded by Bassetlaw District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The project includes a variety of fully funded digital and growth workshops and webinars. Corinna has attended a number of these to build her knowledge including Sales Business Planning, Paid Search Advertising and Marketing and Brand Development.

However, although they have helped provide some answers, Corinna comments: “The most beneficial thing so far has been the support from Business Adviser, Steve Phillips. He is giving me one-to-one support which is helping me see how different actions on my plan will work and how it all hangs together.

I feel much more positive about achieving my goals. I see that it can be done and I’m much clearer on how and what the steps are to get there.”

The business is also looking to apply for Bassetlaw District Council’s Enterprise Grant to realise some of the actions that have been planned. This may include print media, YouTube talks, live talks and strategically placed banners to reach the target audience.

So far Corinna has seen an increase in website traffic due to her blog updates and consistently posting on social media. She hopes this will lead to a significant increase in social media engagement, brand awareness and ultimately bring in new work to build her business.

“I have struggled to see the woods for the trees when it comes to promotion and advertising. There’s a need for the services, and there is an audience and sector out there that will benefit, but it needs more than Google ads, a business card and fliers!

I am certain that the expertise and support that I am receiving from Steve will be the thing that brings it all together."

- Corinna Reeves, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Bassetlaw District Council.

Sector: Food and Drink

Location: High Peak

Pink Aubergine Branded Bakes was started by Claire Humphreys, initially as a side hustle, then full-time from December 2017.

It supplies hand-baked sweet treats decorated with edible toppers for corporate gifts, events and giveaways. Based in Whaley Bridge, High Peak, the business offers companies an opportunity to share their brand and message in a fun and innovative way. Claire is a sole trader and brings in a team to work with her on an ad-hoc basis.

Challenges faced

For Pink Aubergine, finding customers, getting the message out and sharing what they do was one of the biggest struggles. For Claire, it was hard to be working both ‘in’ and ‘on’ the business.

Raw ingredients, equipment and utilities have dramatically increased in price. Most of this has had to be absorbed by the business rather than passed onto the customers. This has added to the pressures of running Pink Aubergine reducing margins and limiting growth.

Solution and Impact

Claire has taken advantage of support from the Accelerator Project. Accelerator is funded by High Peak Borough Council’s share of the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

The Chamber’s Adviser Manager, Abi Phillips has supported Claire on a 1-2-1 basis through a business diagnostic to find out where her business is and where she wants to take it. As well as creating a new business plan, the meetings highlighted that support was needed on website performance and functionality, as well as search engine optimisation. The business was successful in receiving a Growth Voucher which enabled it to have specialist digital support for improvements to the site and user experience.

Accelerator Project Partner, The Food and Drink Forum also helped Claire with new product development and innovation. She had two practical kitchen sessions to perfect her brownie recipe and explore different toppings. They also worked on her flapjack recipe and toppings in the test kitchen.

During this time Claire took advantage of the fully funded Accelerator workshops and webinars. This includes WordPress Masterclass, 20 Simple Ways to get your Website Generating more Business, Successful SEO, Blogging with Authority and Trust, and Food Labelling and Nutritional Information Legislation. Claire says that the support has helped her to improve the way she shares information, writes posts and blogs and develop her website.

“I am constantly wowed by the amount of support available; it really is invaluable.

Running a business can be lonely, just being in a room with other small business owners is uplifting and a learning experience.

The consultants have always been brilliant too – great presenters and experts in their fields. I have been lucky enough to learn about suppliers and gain insight from an Adviser too.”

- Claire Humphreys, Owner & Baker in Chief

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of High Peak Borough Council.

Sector: Luxury Paper Goods Manufacture

Location: Derby

Abigail Warner, based in Derby’s historic Friars Gate Quarter, is a design studio with two full-time employees, supplemented by skilled consultants during peak seasons.

The business was established in 2007 and specialises in crafting bespoke, high-quality stationery and gift items. It has earned a reputation for its heritage-inspired designs, customised products and exceptional customer service.

Challenges faced

The greatest barrier to its growth has been the lack of resources post-pandemic, which has significantly impacted the retail and design studio. Covid-19 brought about a severe contraction in demand, leading to a reduction in available capital and workforce. Additionally, the rising cost of living and energy has posed significant challenges for Abigail Warner Ltd.

These crises have put immense pressure on its operations, making it difficult to maintain its growth trajectory and meet increasing market demands. Furthermore, the strain on cash flow has been substantial, affecting its ability to invest in new technologies, marketing efforts and inventory. The cumulative effect of all these factors has been a major hurdle in scaling the business and expanding its reach.

Solution and Impact

Last year owner, Abigail Warner, got in touch about the fully funded support available from the Derby Accelerator. The Accelerator project is delivered by East Midlands Chamber, Derby City Council and Derby University. It is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Abigail has been working with Business Adviser, Aruna Bhagwan who has helped to refine the business strategy, understand market trends and identify new opportunities.

Through a Growth Voucher, the business has taken advantage of specialist consultancy and one-to-one support. This tailored advice has provided insights, particularly in digital sales and marketing strategies.

Abigail was also successful in her application for a grant from Derby City Council. This has enabled the implementation of advanced digital marketing tools and enhanced eCommerce capabilities, helping the business to expand its customer reach.

Abigail comments that in addition to the above support, workshops on digital marketing and eCommerce optimisation have equipped them with best practices to refine their online presence.

The support has had a huge impact on the business including:

• Increased competitiveness – a stronger digital presence and streamlined online process have improved their market position
• Job safeguarding – stabilised revenue streams have allowed them to safeguard existing roles and create new seasonal opportunities
• Operational efficiency – implementing new technologies has saved approximately 150 hours annually, freeing time for growth initiatives
• Cost reduction – Resource management has optimised costs by around 10%
• Sustainable growth – energy efficiency practices have reduced the business’s environmental footprint and overheads

Abigail commented: “Overall the Accelerator Project has empowered us to strengthen our digital presence, navigate challenges and position ourselves for long-term success.”
 

“The support from the programme has been invaluable. It has provided us with the expertise and resources needed to overcome our challenges and achieve our growth objectives. We are now more competitive, efficient, and well-positioned for future success. This grant has been a game-changer for Abigail Warner.”

- Abigail Warner, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Derby City Council.

Sector: Deli & Cookery School

Location: Broxtowe

Bees Knees Deli & Cookery School is a family business, run by mother and daughter, Elaine and Rachael Harrison.

They produce an array of homemade pastries, cakes and patisserie, alongside a delicious changing menu of breakfasts and lunches in their Deli in Eastwood, Notts. They also run a school, teaching cookery to kids and adults offering a wide range of classes for people in the local area.

They have years of experience, and it shows in their fantastic outside catering for a variety of events. Both Elaine and Rachael credit their passion for food and cookery to Elaine’s mum, Shirley Palmer. Elaine and Rachael started Bees Knees Catering in 2019. Bees Knees Deli & Cookery School was established a few years later in September 2021.

Challenges faced

The business duo needed to promote the cookery lessons and services more effectively, especially to passing trade and residents. They wanted to create new marketing collateral to explain what was on offer and improve the visibility of the deli premises.

Solution and Impact

Elaine heard about support from the Accelerator Project from Broxtowe Borough Council and East Midland Chamber’s Business Adviser, Cat Walls. The Accelerator Project is funded by Broxtowe Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

The business successfully applied for a Broxtowe High Street Business Grant where the total funding requested was £3,570 and the business contribution was £900. This funding will be used to pay for training to enable the team to enhance their skills so they can offer a more diverse range of classes.

In addition, it will be used to purchase electronic display boards, new marketing leaflets for the cookery school and business cards for Elaine and Rachael to use at events.

Elaine said: “We are the only cookery school in Eastwood. We can offer a variety of classes to help people eat healthier, cater for special dietary requirements, as well as kids and teenager classes to get them started, and just bring the fun to cooking. We would love to give people the passion and skills to cook their own meals and enhance their lives for the better.”

“The funding was great for us as it helped us become more visible and helped people become more aware of the services we provide.

Without this funding we would not have been able to increase footfall and awareness on this scale. We are very grateful for the assistance provided by the Accelerator Project."

- Elaine Harrison, Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Broxtowe Borough Council.