When it comes to attention to detail, the fashion designers of the world lead the way and Nicky Bates is no exception. Nicky had done a great job in building up her children’s clothing business, putting together all garments herself. However, as the business grew, keeping up with demand was beginning to take its toll and outsourcing production had to be considered. With a possible venture with an overseas company to assist with production, CART was asked to finance the ‘test’ stage. Sadly, the quality of the samples which came back fell short of Nicki’s own standards and she turned to recruiting machinists locally. Since the business has continued to grow, has its own shop at Ivegill, sells at designer outlets across the UK and at leading outdoor events across the country.

Having approached and been turned down by the main banks for funding for a new company venture, we turned to Business Link to see if they had any alternative funding ideas, we had contracts for various projects including The Central Academy in Carlisle. We were introduced to CART as a possible funding option, CART became a life line to our business without their financing  and advise we would never have got up and running. I have found CART to be very helpful and understanding of small business needs.

Tony McEWAN MD. CORRIDA CONTRACTING LTD

Owner Adam Marks approached CART for assistance to expand his award winning indian fusion pickle & chutney business after the bank were unable to assist. After providing the business with the required financial assistance it was through the on-going monitoring relationship, which CART develops with all its clients, that the identification of further assistance became apparent. Though finance had been provided to assist with immediate demand, it was soon clear to CART’s Loan Fund Manager that the business was not maximising its growth potential. To seize the initiative, the business took a hard look at its current position, embraced the potential for the future and set about discussing with CART’s Loan Fund Manager how it was going to achieve its new objectives. The key lay in the cash flow position and the business agreed the best route forward was to tidy up its financial affairs through agreeing a substantial bank loan.

Although the bank themselves could see there was a huge potential for the business to grow and expand, they lacked the conviction to invest. The business turned to CART for support and following discussions, CART agreed to prepare a business plan with supporting cash flow projections to demonstrate to the bank, the business could meet its commitments and deliver. After the preparation of the business plan, CART’s Loan Fund Manager accompanied the client to his meeting with the Bank and provided support, guidance and assistance during the course of negotiations. Within a month, the Bank agreed to support the business and provide the investment required to enable Mr Vikki’s to establish further growth and expansion.

Julie Thompson has always enjoyed being with animals and it was a natural progression that she turned part of her back garden over to dog kennelling and stated her own business. Popularity of her services grew and before long she was relocating to more sizeable premises and the opportunity to expand on the range of services offered to include grooming services. With CART’s assistance Julie was able to build the kennels and a brand new parlour to ensure the dogs went back home feeling as good as their owners who had just returned from holiday!

Paul Holroyd always knew he could do things better and when the bank couldn’t assist him to realise his ambitions, he approached CART. Involved in forestry and bridleway management, Paul knew the business would benefit from new specialised equipment, specifically a portable sawmill and housing for the new machinery. With our assistance, Paul was also able to benefit from a Forest Futures Grant and the new equipment has enabled the business to progress more productively.

When Stuart Bottomley approached CART with his vision, it was a tricky one to take in! On a cold wet winters day to be directed to a redundant two level cow byre and be told this would become his new studio – a warm office beckoned! However, we did come round to the idea and invested in the project to launch Kendal Upholstery as one of the area’s leading upholsterers. The premises was converted and turned into an efficient and productive workshop not just for the business, but also as a school where Stuart could teach interested individuals from across the world. The business has since expanded with a retail outlet in the centre of Kendal and also moved the workshop to larger premises on the edge of town.

Bold, resilient, courageous – these may be the right attributes to sum up the attitude of owner John Graham who approached CART in the autumn of 2009 to finance an extension of his café venture in Carlisle. Just days before embarking on his project, his existing café in Cockermouth,, also called Merienda, was hit by the devastating floods. Undeterred, John proceeded with his ambition, knowing there was currently little he could do with the Cockermouth premises until the insurers and builders had done their bit. Today both premises are thriving well and the venue at Treasury Court is proving to be a popular destination for both shoppers and business meetings.

Collaboration was key to providing this engineering company with the financial assistance it sought to enable the company to move forward and safeguard the jobs of 44 employees, many of whom were skilled individuals. Though assistance was forthcoming from its bankers, it was less than originally sought and the bank pointed the company in the direction of CART.  Following discussions with both the company and the bank, CART agreed to provide financial assistance and with further support from another funder, the company secured the original investment amount it required. The company has since gone from strength to strength and is currently expanding its operations and using its unique skill set to fulfil some of the engineering requirements for the nuclear industry.