Antur Cymru helps Mid Wales start-ups flourish with Powys Growth Grant

BUSINESSES are breaking new ground and blooming nicely with the support of Antur Cymru.

Start-ups and entrepreneurs in Mid Wales have benefited from the organisation’s guidance and advice, with several accessing transformative funding via the Powys Growth Grant.

Among them were Beyond Breakout escape rooms, Seren Handmade, and Keridwen Garden Design.

All three companies are owned by inspirational women working to support the regional economy, following their dreams and creating long-term employment opportunities.

Beyond Breakout, based near Llanidloes, was launched by friends Lorna Morris and Jo Woodall just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK in 2020.

The last five years have been “a rollercoaster ride” but their mobile escape rooms business is now doing a roaring trade, working closely with schools and welcoming a wide range of customers for team building, stag and hen parties and more.

“Antur Cymru has been a huge support, the grant we received enabled us to put together a new plan focused on growth, and we have received brilliant advice whenever we needed it on a range of issues, notably SEO,” said Lorna.

“We decided to change direction and take the product out into the community – largely due to the pandemic – to make the business more sustainable for the future.

“The outdoor escape rooms and offer we have for schools have been well received, notably for Year 6 children transitioning to high school, and we are constantly developing ideas.”

Jo added: “We built escape rooms for a previous employer and loved doing it, so to now have our own company and for it to be doing so well is fantastic.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but we have a clear vision for the future, especially in the projects we have with education, feeding into the Welsh curriculum and adding a lot of value – it’s an exciting time.”

The same can be said for Crickhowell-based Keridwen Garden Design, whose founder Kathleen Robinson capitalised on more than two decades working in sustainable horticulture.

Having left the office for the outdoors, she called on the support of Antur Cymru to write a business plan and received a grant which helped her to buy equipment including a polytunnel, laptop and design software.

“I had spent so long telling people about the benefits of being outside in the garden and nature and the positive impact on health and wellbeing that I took the leap and decided to do it myself!” said Kathleen.

“With my knowledge of plants and wildlife I offer a unique service and despite only opening earlier this year I already have a waiting list, it’s been amazing.”

She added: “What I do is very much a partnership with the client, we are on a journey together, whether it’s general advice or maintenance and design.

“Helping to build their confidence is another aspect to this, and my confidence as I had no prior experience of running a business. The support of Antur Cymru was invaluable, they were helpful in guiding me to write a business plan and look at financial forecasts, which was all new to me.

“That really restructured my thinking and helped me take this from a hobby to a livelihood.”

Meanwhile, Lauren Garbutt, owner of Seren Handmade bespoke personalised clothing and embroidery in Newtown, has experience significant growth in 2024 which led to the mum-of-three purchasing new equipment, being nominated for the Sole Trader title at the Powys Business Awards and moving to the Antur Cymru Trading Space at Bear Lanes Shopping Centre.

“I was contacted by business advisor Emma Jehu to discuss my venture and have received so much support ever since, from information regarding grants and advice to marketing techniques,” said Lauren.

“I was already very much present on social media and attending shows and events, but they have helped with networking and meeting new contacts, advice on SEO and which ecommerce platforms to use.

“I would love for the business to keep growing, eventually allowing me to expand my workspace and also employ a member of staff while I am on the road, so I can visit events and shows even further afield and spread the word about Seren Handmade.”

Emma congratulated all the companies for their dedication and commitment and urged other small business owners and start-ups to contact the organisation.

“We are so happy to hear these stories, this is why we do what we do,” she said.

“Helping people take an idea or concept to reality and help them achieve their dreams is so heartening and has a knock-on effect for the economy in Mid Wales.

“Antur Cymru is here for anyone in the region who wants advice and guidance on how to take their business to the next level, so get in touch to see how we can help.”