A Cornwall micro-dairy is one of a number of small businesses in the south west benefitting from more than £11 million given out in start-up loans in the past financial year. 

The Start Up Loans programme, part of the British Business Bank, has a rich 12-year record of aiding businesses, especially those finding it hard to secure loans from traditional lenders.

The programme also offers mentoring to recipients in their first year.

Proper Cornish Milk, owned by husband-and-wife team Matt and Tessie Horton, had help with £27k in loans from the programme.

The Hortons utilised the funds to build a processing room, purchase equipment including bottling machines and fridges, and also to buy their first herd of six cows, comprising Daisy, Poppy, Karen, Odette, Petal, and Dixy.

Mr Horton said: "The money from the British Business Bank was really important for helping with our start up costs but also with solidifying our business plan."

The Hortons, who are based in Marhamchurch, near Bude, now deliver fresh, unpasteurised milk straight to more than 100 families' doorsteps.

They said: "The business offers us flexibility to spend time with our three children, all of whom are under six years old.

"We want a different way of life, and don’t want to be tied down by the demands of a traditional job."

Since 2012, over 9,000 businesses in the south west have been supported with £90 million in loans.

Last financial year, 874 businesses were lent to, including an animal therapist, mobile cocktail bar, baker, photographer, sewing café and ceramics studio.

Richard Bearman, managing director, small business lending, British Business Bank, said: "We're delighted that the Start Up Loans programme continues to have such a hugely positive impact on entrepreneurs across the south west, helping hundreds of small businesses in the past year.

"Hitting £11 million is a huge milestone and highlights the success of our efforts to boost access to finance across the region."

The Start Up Loans programme enables borrowing up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum, with loans repaid over one to five years.

The programme also provides 12 months of free business mentoring.

More information can be found at https://www.startuploans.co.uk/.