Funding from the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group (LAG), who run a rural grant funding programme focused on the economy, has aided the expansion of South Hams business, Yurts for Life.
Yurts for Life (YFL), a yurt manufacturing business, has been awarded a grant by the rural business funding programme to construct 40ft yurts.
The business manufactures yurts for clients ranging from glampsite owners to schools, charities, community spaces and commercial event spaces.
YFL also rents out small yurts to festivals and weddings for accommodation mainly in the South West but also repairs and maintains yurts from across the UK.
The funding is for the manufacture of a new 40ft Yurt frame, doors and windows, in the workshop at Barkingdon, near Totnes, along with the purchase of tools for yurt manufacture, storage and marketing. YFL already have an existing portfolio of 20ft and 30ft Yurts for sale or hire, so this has increased their portfolio, improved business productivity and is creating three new jobs.
Owner of Yurts for Life, Sacha Macey, said: “This is fantastic news. We’ve been wanting to expand our business for a while now and the grant from the LAG has enabled us to do just this.
“There is not a lot of help for local, rural businesses in the area so the LAG is a real lifeline for South Hams businesses who are looking to start up or expand.
“It was clear from researching the market, that a larger yurt was needed and we have already successfully sold and installed a 40ft Yurt at Nicholsons Nursery, North Aston, in Oxfordshire. Here’s to a prosperous 2017!”
South Devon Coastal LAG chairman John Yeoman added: “If you run a small business or you are thinking of setting up or expanding a rural business, the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group provides you with an opportunity to help you fill your potential.
“You can apply for a grant to grow and develop your business and employ more people. Take a look at our website www.drcompany.co.uk/sdclag complete and submit a simple project ideas form so we can check you are eligible and then we can get going on your application.”
“The South Devon Coastal Local Action Group (LAG) successfully bid to the Rural Development Programme for England 2014-2020 to run a rural grant funding programme focused on the economy to create jobs and help the rural economy to grow.
The delivery of the programme is undertaken by the Diverse Regeneration Company CIC, and South Hams District Council act as the Accountable Body for the programme.
