Enterprise owner Amelia Smith recently extended her business activities in the south of England.
Already the successful operator of a takeaway outlet called Old Foundry Coffee in Falmouth, Smith has now started up another site in nearby Penryn by accessing a substantial loan.
After struggling to secure finance from High Street banks, the enterprising Smith later managed to access a business loan of £25,000 with fixed interest for her new project. SME business loans are often instrumental in helping company heads expand their services to new locations, helping with the outlay for set-up costs and easing cashflow while they get off the ground.
In business for three years, the Falmouth entrepreneur employs five staff across two sites. A former primary school teacher, she operates from two 20-foot-long shipping containers that each have a fitted kitchen, serving hatch, and outdoor seating space.
Whenever she can, she uses local suppliers that include Trevarthen Butchers, Foundation Coffee and Vicky’s Bread, and sells home baked cakes and sandwiches made with sourdough toast alongside hot and cold drinks. She commented:
“I love the industrial estate vibe. It’s not glamorous and there are no sea views, but your customers are all local and they want nice food. I know them all by name and what they do, and we have a chat.”
The café owner now provides quality food and fresh coffee at both the Tregoniggie Industrial Estate and at Parkengue based on the Kernick Business Park, but has ambitions to operate at another three locations.
