Husband and wife duo launch Southport B&B with six-figure loan

A husband and wife team have launched a bed and breakfast in Southport, fulfilling a life-long dream of operating their own hospitality business.

Gary and Shirley Bromage opened Le Maitre on Bath Street, near the seaside town’s popular Marine Lake, with a six-figure funding package from NatWest.

The venue comprises nine ensuite bedrooms.

Shirley said: “We have always wanted to open a bed and breakfast of our own. We have the experience so it was just finding the right place for us to run the business.

“We searched for about a year and a half for the premises and found Le Maitre last autumn.”

She added: “It was previously a guest house so it was very straightforward to make it our own.”

Prior to the launch of Le Maitre, Gary worked in hospitality as a chef while Shirley worked as a hotel manager. To support the plans to open their own B&B, they turned to NatWest relationship manager Gary McEgan.

Shirley said: “Gary [McEgan] was very approachable and offered excellent advice and plenty of support.

“He made us feel at ease when we discussed the financing and it was very good to work with him.”

Relationship manager Gary said: “Gary and Shirley have a wealth of experience in the leisure sector and their new business Le Maitre will thrive under their excellent management. I wish them every success for the future.”

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