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Four Hertfordshire businesses hit by COVID-19 secure funding
Four Hertfordshire businesses have secured funding from Crowdfund Hertfordshire: Small Business Innovation Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to businesses in the retail, tourism, hospitality, and other related sectors most impacted by Covid-19.
The first four to be awarded funding are Auriel Holidays, The Brewery Tap, Creative Juices Brewing Company, and Save Our Standon (Standon Calling Festival).
Between £2,000 and £5,000 in match-funding is available for eligible small and micro-businesses within the tourism, leisure, hospitality, retail, arts, and cultural sectors. This is part of a £200,000 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership COVID-19 fund administered by Visit Herts via the Crowdfunder Pay It Platform.
Participating businesses are required to raise money for their project through pledges from their community and loyal customers. Once a business secures its target through the Crowdfunder campaign, successful applicants are able to unlock match-funding from the scheme.
The first four businesses to successfully secure match funding are:
The Brewery Tap: Furneux Pelham, East Hertfordshire
Nestled in the heart of Furneux Pelham, the COVID-19 outbreak saw this small, rural pub innovate and adapt quickly. By redesigning their dining area, they now provide customers with a pop-up shop offering fresh produce from a range of local Hertfordshire suppliers. Further modifications allowed the business to set up a new online grocery order service with delivery for the elderly and those self-isolating.
In addition, two refrigeration units were purchased to help increase the display of produce. Thanks to the success of the pop-up, it continues to operate alongside the pub and restaurant.
Creative Juices Brewing Company: Rickmansworth, Three Rivers Hertfordshire
Located in Rickmansworth, Creative Juices Brewing Company is a small craft brewery producing high-quality beers, which were sold within an on-site taproom. During the lockdown, the team at Creative Juices Brewing worked proactively to set up a brand new website and a free local delivery service for customers.
Post lockdown the taproom space remained unusable due to social distancing constraints and funding from the fund has enabled the business to create an entirely new outside space to operate from instead. This work includes developing a contactless ordering system and a range of modifications to adapt the new outside space for their taproom. Picture hazel hurdle fencing, picnic tables, sun shades, stunning planters, newly planted UK wildflowers, and garland lighting. All part of the ongoing efforts to ensure COVID safety for customers and staff.
Standon Calling Festival: Standon, East Hertfordshire
Launched 15 years ago, Standon Calling is an independent Hertfordshire music festival catering for up to 17,000. The outbreak of COVID-19 meant the Standon Calling 2020 festival had to be postponed until 2021. The team behind Standon Calling responded by innovating their festival offer to provide experiences such as a VIP treehouse and the opportunity for visitors’ faces to be incorporated in future marketing and promotion.
Auriel Holidays: Wheathampstead, St Albans, Hertfordshire
2by2 Holidays have been creating tailor-made wildlife and cultural holidays to Africa, Latin America, and India for nearly 20 years. With the ongoing travel restrictions, they are launching a new travel agency Auriel Holidays to deliver a range of holidays in the UK and Europe. St Albans based Auriel Holidays will initially focus on road trips and rail journeys/tours to Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales. The team is also planning to offer island-hopping trips in Scotland, Ireland, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
On the 14th of July, the BRIT-nominated duo Jungle will host an unprecedented open-air music event at Tofte Manor, a picturesque 17th-century estate. This unique one-day festival, dubbed “Jungle Curates,” will feature a lineup exclusively selected by Jungle themselves, including some of their favorite artists, DJs, and collaborators.
Stellar Lineup in a Breathtaking Setting
The event will take place amid the stunning backdrop of Tofte Manor’s labyrinth and the surrounding rolling hills of Bedfordshire. It promises an immersive experience with bespoke production, décor, and exclusive merchandise. The lineup reflects Jungle’s significant influence on the music scene, featuring a mix of established and rising stars. Notably, BBC Radio 1 icon Annie Mac will make her Tofte Manor debut, appearing alongside Jungle. The diverse roster continues with Ross From Friends, DJ Paulette, Ahadadream, Peruvian DJ and producer Sofia Kourtesis, and London-based Mood Talk, promising a blend of house, electronica, and more.
Jungle’s Ascending Trajectory
Coming off the success of their latest album “Volcano,” Jungle has been a prominent force in the UK music scene for over a decade. Their recognition includes a recent BRIT Award nomination for “Group of the Year” and a series of sold-out performances worldwide. Their hit single “Back On 74” recently surpassed 100 million streams, and they were the first to sell out three consecutive DJ shows at Koko London in one day.
A Unique Venue with No Restrictions
Tofte Manor is set apart from other venues by its lack of restrictive sound limitations, a common issue at inner-city events. This freedom has made it a favorite spot for electronic music’s biggest names, including Keinemusik, Maribou State, Dixon, TSHA, Floating Points, and Fred Again.., among others. “Jungle Curates” marks the final event of the summer at Tofte Manor, hosted by Labyrinth Events, who have also lined up performances from Adriatique and a sold-out show with Fatboy Slim the preceding weekend.
As the day concludes, Jungle themselves will take the stage for a rare DJ set, ensuring the event not only celebrates their music but also their unique style and influence. This is set to be a highlight of this summer’s music calendar, blending historical charm with contemporary beats in a not-to-be-missed festival setting.
Let the fun be-gin at De Vere Latimer Estate, set in the heart of Buckinghamshire in the Chess Valley, with their indulgent gin lovers break priced from £185 per room*. The gin package includes an overnight stay with a £26 dinner voucher per guest and a gin cocktail each, followed by breakfast the following morning.
Relax with a complimentary G&T in the hotel’s Huntley Bar, a cosy bar which offers views across the estate’s gardens and sweeping views of the Chiltern Hills. During their stay, guests can also opt to visit the nearby Griffiths Brothers Gin distillery, located just 15 minutes away, for a tour of the distillery with tastings to be enjoyed along the way and to learn how Griffiths Brothers Gins are produced.
Spend the evening in 1838 Restaurant & Bar which celebrates classic British dishes where you’ll discover locally sourced, seasonally inspired menus with dishes including lemon & herb marinated pork tenderloin; Casterbridge 28 days dry aged 8oz Sirloin steak; grilled fillet of sustainable sea bream; and rigatoni alla parmigiana. As part of the package, guests will have up to £52 to spend between them in the restaurant during their stay.
De Vere Latimer Estate, located in the Chess Valley in Buckinghamshire, has plenty of activities on the doorstep. Why not borrow a pair of Hunter wellies and explore the beautiful 10-mile Chess Valley Walk on the hotel’s doorstep to discover a wealth of wildlife, historic buildings, water meadows and nature reserves.
Afterwards, guests can head back to the hotel where they can opt for some R&R in the pool, sauna and steam room or, enjoy a board game in The Library – a secluded spot ideal for relaxing with a drink in hand or indulging in a delicious afternoon tea.
