Planting seeds of success, former teachers Chloe Widdows and Jim Thomson have opened The Acorn café, deli and wine bar in Yeovil, Somerset using support from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
The pair, passionate about Somerset's local produce, made the café a reality after years of dreaming.
Chloe shared, "After going back to school after the covid pandemic, we felt that we could celebrate all of this wonderful produce right here."
Each applying for a £15,000 Start Up Loan, Chloe and Jim prepared the premises on Church Street for their grand opening in September.
Before receiving the keys to the venue, the couple made connections with local producers, visiting vineyards and factories across the Westcountry.
Describing it as a rewarding journey, they credit their success to the government-backed Start Up Loan and the British Business Bank.
The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a six per cent fixed interest rate per annum.
The primary aim of the initiative is to ensure that viable start-ups and early stage businesses have access to the finance and support they need in order to thrive.
It has delivered more than £85m of funding to over 9,000 businesses in the South West since 2012.
In six-months, Chloe and Jim are eager to launch the wine bar and host food and drink events.
"It's been great meeting so many people along the way," commented Chloe.
"It's humbling to remember everyone in business started somewhere."
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