Success Stories
Larkspur Lodge in Knutsford is a converted 18th century shippon barn that still boasts a number of original features, including beautiful red brick walls, barn style windows and exposed timber trusses. Available for exclusive use wedding and events Larkspur Lodge provides a beautifully rustic backdrop for celebrations.
Enabling business recovery post pandemic. Retention of existing jobs and creating 8 new jobs.
Opportunity to recover and grow
Larkspur Lodge is an exclusive use wedding and events business in Knutsford. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the business, had to transfer or cancel over 120 weddings. This had a huge detrimental effect on the business and the health of employers and employees.
Since re-opening post pandemic, the business needed to invest heavily to improve their infrastructure so that they could manage the higher volume of weddings and events. One key area was improved kitchen facilities that were needed to facilitate the backlog of bookings, including new ovens and fridges as well as a more environmentally-friendly extraction system.
The business also invested in improved and extended
outdoor areas to ensure they become more of a feature for winter as well as summer to maximise the
availability / appeal for the usually
quieter months. They installed new outside awnings, outdoor heaters and
durable decking (non slip for winter and wet months).
The Solution
The recovery and growth programme supported the business with grant funding for the kitchen upgrades as well as the improved outdoor areas.
Benefits to the business
The business have been able to retain all of their existing employees as well as recruit 8 new local employees. The recovery and growth plan has secured the development of their existing team, three of which have been given promotions.
The business has also seen an increase in revenue and improved energy efficiency.
