Granny Cool, a preserves and condiments manufacturer started life in 2013, receiving a Start Up Loan a year later from Business Finance Solutions (BFS) www.businessfinancesolutions.org.uk the North West delivery partner of the government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme and a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
This month Granny Cool business partners Nikki Frith and Lindsey Oldroyd are toasting the sweet success of their marmalades and curds with a major new contract to supply Sainsbury’s supermarkets as well as a network of prestigious listings including Selfridges and Booths.
The two mums, who met in their children’s’ playground four years ago, are also preparing to enter the export market and build the Granny Cool brand in territories including Australia and the Middle East. Plans to fund their overseas expansion are currently underway thanks to a £60k Export Fund Loan from Business Finance Solutions. After being turned down on Dragon’s Den in 2014 for having a brand that the investors considered too regional, Granny Cool looks set to join the growing list of Den ‘survivors’ including Tangle Teaser and Trunki which have since grown their businesses into global brands.
Ramsbottom based Granny Cool’s products are handmade using the traditional method of open pans. The range is based on original recipes handed down to Nikki from her Grandmother Marjorie Richardson and includes three fruit marmalade, lemon, lime, ginger and mango curds.
Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “We’re delighted to hear that Granny Cool is going from success to success, and happy that we were able to help. It is a top priority for this council to see current and future entrepreneurs thrive, and do all we can to direct them to good quality business advice, guidance and access to funding. We wish the Granny Cool team all the best for a fruitful future!”
Mark Gibbons, Loan Manager from Business Finance Solutions said: ‘The jam and marmalade market is worth over £20m in the UK alone and Nikki and Lindsey have already made considerable inroads with their impressive national contracts.
‘British made jams and marmalades have always been synonymous with quality and heritage, which is why the time is now perfect for Granny Cool to expand their sales and stockists overseas. We will be working closely with them on their export ambitions and helping them to access other
Manchester Growth Company services such as UKTI.’
Nikki said: “This is an enormously exciting time for us and the Business Finance Solutions team has helped take Granny Cool to the next step by securing the £60k loan for us and we look forward to their support in taking our brand overseas.
‘Like us they knew that there has been a real sea change in what people want to eat today and our customers are proud to support and champion smaller manufacturers who are working hard to create something authentic, high quality and a bit special. Bury has a long tradition of manufacturing and we are proud to be upholding that reputation and taking our brand to the next stage of international distribution and recognition.’
BFS, the financial arm of the Manchester Growth Company is supported by the GM Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership and has £7.5 million allocated to support new start-ups across the North West over the next two years. This funding will create around 1500 new businesses and over 3000 new jobs in the region.
Over the years BFS has grown and developed its financial options and offers finance from £500 through to £500,000 and can also support businesses on raising equity investments up to £2m through the Co Angel initiative. To date BFS manages a portfolio of over £80m across the UK.
Find out more about BFS finance at www.business-finance-solutions.org.uk or by calling 0161 245 4737.
Email info@b-f-s.org.uk or visit www.business-finance-solutions.org.uk for more information
