Blackton Grange Wedding Venue Secures Five-Figure Funding for Expansion
A wedding venue and holiday homes business located in the North Pennines is set to expand after securing a five-figure loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. Blackton Grange Estates, situated between Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle, aims to use the funding to enhance its marketing efforts and drive growth.
Business Overview and Transformation
Run by twin sisters Stella Laird and Jodi McSherry, Blackton Grange Estates operates a wedding venue at its Balderhead site, which spans 11 acres of countryside. The property features a converted barn and a farmhouse that can accommodate up to 18 guests, also available for holiday rentals. The sisters, who share a passion for property and interiors, transformed a former outdoor activity centre and hostel into a luxury venue. They began taking bookings in 2023 and later opened for weddings, creating a distinctive space for entertainment.
Funding and Growth Plans
The five-figure sum comes from the NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans, managed by NEL Fund Managers. This investment is intended to support the business's growth by enabling the hiring of marketing agency Venue Spark. The agency will assist in promoting the newly restored wedding barn and developing the Blackton Grange brand. Stella Laird expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Partnering with NEL has been a brilliant experience for us at Blackton Grange Estates and a very smooth process working with all levels of the management team. We are excited for the future working with NEL and how they can help accelerate our growth plans, not just with this project, but over the coming years as we continue to build and grow our brand and business."
Support from Investment Leaders
Susan Snowdon, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, who led the investment, praised the team, saying, "Stella and the team were fantastic to work with and it’s so impressive to see what they have done with the space at Blackton Grange. I look forward to continuing to work with them and wish them both the best of luck for their next stage of business growth." Sarah Newbould, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, added, "Backing ambitious businesses across the North is central to driving sustainable regional growth. Through NPIF II, we’re committed to improving access to finance so that companies with strong potential can scale and create local opportunity. Blackton Grange reflects this ambition, building a distinctive luxury venue in the North Pennines and investing in its brand to support the next phase of growth."
The funding marks a significant step for Blackton Grange Estates as it seeks to expand its presence in the wedding and hospitality sectors, leveraging its unique location and renovated facilities to attract more clients and enhance its market position.
