Case studies

These and other businesses have been assisted by grant funding secured by GFA Consultancy. Is it not time your business benefited for a financial boost? Find out more on your eligibility and what grants could be offered, by emailing your business expansion ideas to our dedicated professionals.

Case 1: Tourism success

Farmer X had experienced reducing profit margins from commodity production for a number of years, and was seeking to diversify the business through the development of a tourism enterprise. The business, like many others, had a range of redundant buildings that were detracting for profit margins, due to their high maintenance cost, and also were impractical for modern-day farming.

Following assistance by GFA Consultancy the business decided to apply for grant assistance under Defra’s Rural Enterprise Scheme, and were subsequently awarded a grant of 45% of the total costs of refurbishing and furnishing the new venture, equating to over £65,000 of financial aid.

The new enterprise has now been trading for 15-months with this summers tourist season already fully-booked. Further, not only is the enterprise contributing to the business’s profit margins, it has also significantly appreciated the capital asset value of the estate.

Case 2: Community Benefit

A remote rural village was considering how it would re-furbish its deteriorating village hall that was coming to the end of its lifetime, and was not widely used by community members.

Following discussions between GFA Consultancy and community leaders, the trustees decided to develop the village hall into an ICT centre, offering locals access to the internet and other multimedia facilities. Further, the hall area was refurbished and a heating system was installed. After the concept had been developed, GFA Consultancy assisted the community group in developing a business plan and submitted an application under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which proved to be successful.

The project has now recently been completed and the villagers have just opened their now popular village attraction. This would not have been possible without the 75% grant secured by GFA Consultancy.