Laneham Conservation
19 October 2024
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
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.
