The South West has seen a boom in start-ups with animals at their heart in the last few years, thanks to the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
The Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than £90 million in loans to businesses in the South West. And the programme has seen a significant number of animal-focussed businesses taking up the opportunity. These range from start-ups centred on healing pets to the therapeutic use of animals to offer comfort to those with mental health issues.
The theme of entrepreneurs turning their passion for animals into a business comes amid a widely-reported increase in UK pet ownership which in turn has led to increased demand for veterinary, nutrition, animal care and pet-related products and services. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that UK expenditure on pets and related products rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2023 to almost £10.6bn.
Louise McCoy, Small Business Lending Commercial Managing Director from the British Business Bank said: “Our Start Up Loans programme offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to turn their passion into a business, whether that’s animals helping people experiencing mental health issues or offering support to pets that need extra care. It’s clear that there is no one size fits all to successful businesses in the South West and our programme continues to boost access to finance in the region for those looking to take the next step in their business journey.”
Here are three up and coming businesses in the South West which have benefitted from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
Equine Connect, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
After three years spent training and building up experience, Lisa Deacon set up Equine Connect in 2021 to provide therapy through interaction with horses. The keen rider has always loved being around horses and knew that bond between animals and humans can be an incredible force for good.
People of all ages with a range of mental health issues, including trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder can come to the Equine Connect site in Bodmin to spend time with Lisa’s horses and ponies.
A £25,000 loan through British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans scheme helped fund the cost of more equipment and infrastructure for her farmyard base. The money was also used to create a therapy ‘safe corner’ for children to feel at home.
“Basically, it was for all the things I needed to help me run the business and I just didn’t have that extra bit of money lying around,” said Lisa. “I’m a one-woman-band, so anything that I can use or buy to help me is really important.” Lisa says the money has provided a huge boost to Equine Connect and allowed her to ‘get going’, offering carefully tailored packages of assisted therapy.
Nadder Valley Rehab, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Veterinary physiotherapists Tori Edwards and Hannah Topping recently launched Nadder Valley Animal Rehabilitation, based in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Their new business offers highly-specialist treatment packages for pets with a range of mobility problems. With a hydrotherapy pool, they help treat dogs with long-term conditions such as arthritis or neurological difficulties, as well as pets recovering from surgery.
Tori and Hannah applied for the financial support when they came across an opportunity to take over an already successful rehabilitation centre that was up for sale. Tori and Hannah, who met while studying for their physiotherapy degrees, knew the well-established business (previously called Pet Waves) would be perfectly suited to their long-term career goals. Both Tori and Hannah say they couldn’t have started Nadder Valley Animal Rehabilitation without the loan from British Business Bank. Securing the money they needed for the initial purchase and rebranding work has meant that the business partners can now concentrate on what they do best.
“The Start Up Loans programme is such a fantastic idea,” said Tori. “There are so many bright ideas out there and people need help to be able to fund what they want to do. This scheme just allows everyone to chase their dreams.”
Pets and Picasso, Plymouth, Devon
Anna Corwood has found a way to turn her passion for animals and caring for people into a new way of life. The registered NHS nurse from Plymouth launched Pets and Picasso with her partner Luke Gash after successfully applying for £25,000 from British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
Pets and Picasso aims to provide animal and art assisted therapy to local people living with a wide range of health conditions. Anna, a district nurse, has spent years working in the community looking after her patients and saw first-hand how family pets and contact with animals can bring comfort and joy to people when they are at their lowest ebb.
“I wanted to combine all of that and try to do a little bit of good for people in an alternative way,” said Anna. “I’ve seen time and time again how animals and art can help people going through the most difficult of circumstances. People turn to their pets or to creative activities to give them some sort of strength, comfort and means of expression.”
There are currently three cats, eight rabbits, seven guinea pigs, ten mice, four rats, a tortoise and a corn snake sharing the couple’s three-bedroom house. The plan is to provide an outreach service to local residents, schools and care homes before eventually looking for premises to set up a dedicated Pets and Picasso centre in Plymouth.
Start Up Loans is a government-backed scheme from the British Business Bank, available to people looking to start or grow a business in the UK. It offers unsecured loans of up to £25,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6 per cent, repayable over one to five years. Successful applicants also receive 12 months of free mentoring to help them succeed. Find out more at startuploans.co.uk
