Somerset farm diversifies with three new projects

Mark Fanning, ACF sales and marketing director
Mark Fanning, ACF sales and marketing director

Aldwick Court Farm (ACF), based in Redhill, near Bristol, offers corporate events and team building activities such as clay pigeon shooting and tank driving. Grant funding through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), contributed towards a state-of-the-art Visitor Centre/wedding venue and a working winery processing the grapes from the farm’s vineyard, the largest in Somerset.

Mark Fanning, ACF sales and marketing director, was keen to propel the business forward into new areas. He said: "We are no stranger to diversification and in the past we have successfully explored pig farming, grass drying, dried blackcurrant seed exporting and unique corporate team building and hospitality events. After the economic uncertainty of the past year, we realised we needed to invest in the business and create new opportunities to enable us to grow. Wedding, stag and hen dos, and corporate retreats offered huge potential for us, which is why we decided to expand on this offering."

RDPE funding is available to rural businesses in the South West and is delivered by Business Link. The grants are normally match funded, and since 2008 Business Link have helped over 400 farms in the region receive funding. Awarded grants have ranged from £4,000 to £2 million.

Having worked with Business Link previously, calling on their assistance when exporting 200 tonnes of dried blackcurrant seed to China, Mark contacted the organisation to discuss the scheme. Mark said: "Business Link outlined all the different areas that RDPE funding can support, some of which I wasn’t aware of. I was able to talk through all aspects of the business plans and at every stage of application was given direction and advice on how to capitalise on the business."

Three separate funding applications were put forward and aimed to reposition ACF Hospitality as a unique destination venue.

The Visitor Centre, due to be completed by January 30th before a grand open day in April, will enable ACF to cater for evening events and is expected to attract weddings, conferences and indoor team building.

The vineyards will, by 2014 produce enough grapes for 30,000-35,000 bottles of wine each year. ACF recognised that turning them into a working vineyard with onsite wine production facilities would give clients an extra reason to revisit and plans for a winery were put forward and accepted.

The final proposal, more in keeping with traditional farming practices, comprised plans for a cold storage unit to aid ACF’s pig farming venture – marketing and supplying pork to local butchers.

Mark said: "Finalising three business plans is an extensive process and Business Link helped with all the fine details – from outlining suppliers to presenting market research. We needed someone with the time and expertise to really focus on the details, which is where its help was so invaluable."

Chris Lyons, the Business Link Rural adviser who helped with the application, added: The RDPE programme has enabled ACF to expand the area of its business which proved the most fruitful – the hospitality ventures. However, through its pig farming and winery it still withholds traditional farming practices and is a great example of how the funding can help a rural business diversify into other areas.

"As well as helping ACF achieve its own growth goals, the new ventures will also benefit the local economy, particularly hotels and caterers who will help cater for the new 200 capacity wedding venue."

Mark, speaking of his hopes for 2011, said: "Fundamentally ACF hopes to generate repeat business. I really think growth is achievable due to the truly unique, bespoke experience we offer. After all, where else can you have a think tank in the morning and drive one in the afternoon?"