Starting and Succeeding in Business | Startup
South East LEP project helps couple create beautiful
memories for their clients
Mandy and Darran opened Alfriston Cabins in July 2020. Situated on the South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a dark skies designated area, they feel passionate about creating unique experiences for their clients.
The South East LEP’s Starting and Succeeding in Business programme proved ideal to help the couple grow their busy business.
As Mandy says “There aren’t any negatives. It’s simple. You can just pick it up when you can.”
Covid massively impacted their business due to travel stopping consequently bookings dropped to zero along with cancellations. Consequently, when their IT equipment needed updating, they did not have the money to do this, so decided to apply for a grant. The grant was for the purchase of new, reliable IT technology that is crucial to their business. The company needed this essential tool to run the business on a day-to-day basis, successfully deliver the service to their customers, retain confidentiality, and promote a reliable brand in the future. They also hope to use it to manage a new website and booking system in the future.
They found the support given by their mentor straightforward and invaluable, as Mandy says,
“Tony was great, very amenable. I just phoned him up and asked him a question. He’d come back to me pretty much the same day. It was really simple.”
Watch the video below to find out more.
To find out more about Alfriston Cabins, visit their website: www.alfristoncabins.co.uk
Adapting with Digital is a programme that provides digital solutions to help businesses that have been trading for a minimum of 1 year to grow post covid. Alongside 1-2-1 business support, access to free events and videos to help grow their business, we also have grants from £500 to £2000 available to eligible SMEs.
Starting and Succeeding in Business consists of two courses that are designed for those who are looking to or have recently started a new business, as well as those made redundant or have become unemployed as a result of COVID-19. Alongside 1-2-1 business support, access to free events and videos to help grow their business, we also have grants from £500 to £2000 available to eligible pre-starts or SMEs.
Both programmes are open until 30th June 2022 and are funded through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) which supports businesses located in Essex, Kent, and East Sussex.
