Start Up Loans Company delivers £5m to small businesses in County Durham

A start up loans company is proving entrepreneurialism is alive in County Durham as it has lent almost £5m to small businesses in the region.

Figures from The Start Up Loans Company suggest that entrepreneurship is thriving in the country, with aspiring business owners turning to the Government-backed scheme to realise their dreams.

Mother and daughter duo Linda and Lisa Clark set up Keeper’s Café in Dipton, County Durham in 2015 after receiving a £15k loan from the Start Up Loans Company.

The business produces home-made, locally sourced food and also exhibits arts and crafts from local artists in their gallery, and used their loan to refurbish the café, with Lisa making the most of her former marketing experience to raise the profile of the café.

Now with eight part-time employees, Keeper’s Café also offers classes in a range of activities including ceramics and weaving.

Linda said: “Although neither of us had any experience working in baking or art, we realised that if we wanted to start our own business, it was now or never. We took a leap of faith and applied for a loan to start the business, and we’ve never looked back.”

A spokesperson from The Start Up Loans Company added: “It’s fantastic to hear local success stories like Linda and Lisa’s, and it’s clear they’ve created a strong offering within the community.

“County Durham is continuing to cement its position as an entrepreneurial hub, with so many people starting their own businesses with the help of new business funding.

“Startups are a critical part of our economy and we’re thrilled to see the growth in self-employment across the region. We wish Linda and Lisa every success in the future.”