As part of a series of case studies highlighting smaller companies across the city region who have successfully applied for New Markets 2 grants of under £5k, we continue with Barnstondale.
Outdoor education and activity centre, Barnstondale, developed and built a new brand and new website after receiving a New Markets 2 grant, through Growth Platform.
The Wirral based residential centre has been helping young people have adventures for over 60 years. They provide fun and challenging experiences for schools and youth groups, aimed at developing confidence, self-esteem, and life skills. On-site activities at the centre include – abseiling, archery, orienteering, obstacle courses and campfire building.
The centre also has sports pitches, woodland, an activity park, and sensory garden. The accessible accommodation on site is either the three large log cabins with ensuite facilities or dormitory’s if the group wants to stay together, with capacity for 175 people – either staying full board or self-catering.
Jon Muspratt, Barnstondale’s CEO, explained: “The grant was a huge step in not only allowing us to re-brand but also build a completely new website – which was needed to provide a much-improved customer journey. It was important to us to enhance the professional image of Barnstondale and improve our image and reputation with potential customers.
“The new website has allowed us to simplify the passage of essential information for customers, so they are able to download direct from the site which in turn, reduces staff time and has made small efficiency savings for the admin staff.”
The next step for Barnstondale is that they are diversifying slightly from their core business (school and youth group residential trips and outdoor education) during their low season (Winter). They will be running a Christmas event from November – December, and have used their new website functionality to build the event in order to market it.
New Markets 2 is a successful support programme which allows local businesses to access a grant towards the cost of consultancy or agency fees. Growth Platform is currently running New Markets 2: Express, which is a fast-track service for projects between £3000-£5000, designed to make the process of accessing grant funding quicker and easier.
Eligible businesses can receive a 35% contribution towards the cost of consultancy services. Check eligibility here.