Helping Rural Start Ups across Great Britain

Forest news

24/05/23

Rural Start up Fund with The Royal Countryside Fund

Since 2019, we've been proud to partner with The Royal Countryside Fund to deliver the Rural Start-Up Fund— a joint-initiative designed to support emerging start ups in the UK’s rural communities. 

We donate 10p from every hot drink that we sell to support people with business ideas in rural areas, through our business start-up grant programme. Over the past three years, the Rural Start-Up Fund has provided £16,000 in support to four rural businesses, and a total of seven receiving tailored mentoring provided by members of the Forest Holidays team. 

We love supporting Britain’s rural start-ups

Businesses receiving support have included a vineyard in Wiltshire, a tour outfitter in Cumbria and a gardening startup in Herefordshire—all located in rural areas. This year’s winner, Caroline Dawson of SUP Lass Paddle Adventures—a North Wales-based paddleboard tour company - is excited to join the programme. “I am truly over the moon to have been awarded the Rural Start-Up Fund to support the growth of my business,” said Caroline. “The funding is going to assist us in advancing our offers, thorough investment in expedition paddle kit, marketing support and cooking equipment.” 

Mentoring workshops for our winners

Support provided through the mentoring has been instrumental to past participating businesses, including Vicky Smith of West End Barns, a farm shop and café in Hertfordshire that received mentoring in 2022.  

“When you start your own business it’s really hard—there are challenges and it takes a lot of time,” said Vicky. “The Rural Start-Up Fund gave me a lot of enthusiasm and has made me excited to continue developing.”  

For others, funding through the programme has allowed them to invest in vital upgrades and expansions in their businesses’ products and reach. “A little bit of faith from someone else goes a long way,” said Gemma Wren of NaturesGems Tours—who received the 2021 award to fund new equipment and marketing for her company’s tour. “It’s given me the confidence to go out and talk to people as a serious small business with a clear mission and a little bit of cash to kick-start and test things.”  

Looking forward to learning together

This summer, past and present participants in the Rural Start-Up Fund will gather in-person for the first time at Forest Holidays’ Delamere Forest location for two days of workshops, networking and enjoying all the location’s amenities.  

Mentoring workshops for our winners

Support provided through the mentoring has been instrumental to past participating businesses, including Vicky Smith of West End Barns, a farm shop and café in Hertfordshire that received mentoring in 2022.  

“When you start your own business it’s really hard—there are challenges and it takes a lot of time,” said Vicky. “The Rural Start-Up Fund gave me a lot of enthusiasm and has made me excited to continue developing.”  

For others, funding through the programme has allowed them to invest in vital upgrades and expansions in their businesses’ products and reach. “A little bit of faith from someone else goes a long way,” said Gemma Wren of NaturesGems Tours—who received the 2021 award to fund new equipment and marketing for her company’s tour. “It’s given me the confidence to go out and talk to people as a serious small business with a clear mission and a little bit of cash to kick-start and test things.” 

Looking forward to learning together

This summer, past and present participants in the Rural Start-Up Fund will gather in-person for the first time at Forest Holidays’ Delamere Forest location for two days of workshops, networking and enjoying all the location’s amenities.