21st July 2023
Three Newport-based entrepreneurs have benefitted from grants from a scheme established by the council to assist small and medium sized businesses.
The latest round opened at the end of last year and in three months had helped 18 businesses with small grants totalling £36,000.
Katie Moss, owner of Otium Concierge; Sian Howarth, of Norah Rose Staging and Daniel Dyer who runs the Spirit of Wales were among those who were helped by the business development fund.
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council whose portfolio includes business development, recently met all three and enjoyed hearing about their ventures.
“I was incredibly impressed by their drive and enthusiasm. Their enterprises demonstrate the incredible diversity and creativity of businesses that we have in the city. I’m very pleased that we have been able to help them and I’m sure their companies will continue to grow and flourish.
“Our expert business team can offer advice on a range of financial and practical assistance to those wishing to start a business, those already operating and companies wishing to relocate to the city. Find out more, including how to get in touch with them, at www.newport.gov.uk/business”
Katie Moss is the owner of Otium Concierge which offers lifestyle concierge and business services to clients all over the world from its base in the Wesley Clover Innovation Centre in Newport.
The company provides practical and luxury management services for individuals, businesses and employees and is so in demand that it is recruiting at last two more employees to join the four-person team.
Katie used the grant from the council to buy new computer equipment. “It’s definitely helped as it is a big outlay upfront and it means everything is now ready for the new starters.”
For more on Otium Concierge visit www.otium-concierge.com
Despite facing adversity, Sian Howarth has turned her creative flair into a business which is shortlisted for two start-up awards just over a year after she set up Norah Rose Staging.
As well as working with property agents and individuals to help sell homes, Sian also wants to inspire others and give back to the community.
Sian is committed to Newport – her adopted home – and wants to grow and expand her company in the city.
“I used the grant for my home office start-up – computer, printer etc. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the help from the council.”
Find out more about Norah Rose Staging at www.norahrose.co.uk; Facebook norahrosestaging; Instagram - @norahrosestaging; LinkedIn – Sian at Norah Rose Staging
Daniel Dyer started his Spirit of Wales distillery business at home during Covid and it was so successful he moved into premises on the Maesglas Industrial Estate. Five people are employed full-time and another 10 for events.
The distillery produces Welsh gin, rum and vodka using specially selected ingredients and methods. It offers tours, gin or rum making experiences and tasting evenings attracting people from across the UK and even visitors from abroad.
Having recently taken on another unit on the estate, Daniel’s expansion plans include a canning machine and the company has recently acquired the accreditation needed to export his products. Spirit of Wales does not only sell its own wares – it is currently offering a rum produced by emerging local company Praxis.
He used the council grant to purchase a pallet stacker so he could make better use of his storage space.
“We were using a manual system before and the new electric stacker means items can be safely stored off the floor. It makes the working area a lot safer, and we couldn’t have done it without the grant.”
Information on the Spirit of Wales distillery can be found at on the website www.spiritofwales.com or follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/Spirit_of_Wales