Leeds wine company expands workforce with £30k of funding

A Leeds wine business is expanding and seeking more staff following £30k of funding.

House of Wine, which pivoted to create Doorstep Wine during lockdown, has received £30k of funding from the Business Enterprise Fund.

The company plans to use the funding to recruit more staff, after what it has called a “record two months”.

Owner Michael Hoult commented: “Doorstep Wine has really taken off, as have lots of other local businesses - we were delighted to use our expertise in a different way and thanks to £30k funding from the Business Enterprise Fund, we could take time to adapt and develop that side of the business while the hospitality industry was put on hold.

“We’re now looking to take someone on to head it up as we reintroduce our ontrade side of the business.”

Steve Waud, CEO of Business Enterprise Fund, added: ““It’s been a record two months, as we were the first in the country to deliver a CBILS loan to a business - even though we are a small, regional boutique lender - but we did because we have a great team and the will to help businesses in a crisis through the COVID crisis.

“We have been working round the clock to help those businesses get the money they need to survive and then ultimately thrive.”