Rozna Haque (left) of ART Business Loans, John Stapleton of 1000 Trades and Lynn Wyke (right) of BCRS Business Loans

A bar restaurant has been opened at an historic Birmingham park by a team including a MasterChef winner thanks to funding from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF) through BCRS Business Loans.

Billed as “an independent neighbourhood tearoom, bar and kitchen”,1000 Trades On The Park is operating from premises at Grade II-listed Lightwoods Park and House in Bearwood after securing £140,000 to innovate and grow from CIEF, split equally in loans from BCRS Business Loans and ART Business Loans.

Building on the success of their 1000 Trades bar in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, which opened in 2016 and is named after the city’s reputation for hosting 1000 trades during the 1800s, owners Jonathan Todd and John Stapleton have created 15 jobs with the Bearwood venture, backed by executive head chef Dan Lee who won BBC TV’s MasterChef Professionals in 2021.

1000 Trades On The Park is among the first West Midlands businesses to benefit from the second CIEF, which was launched in March and backed by Lloyds Bank, the first mainstream lender at scale to finance loans for delivery through socially motivated Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) including BCRS Business Loans.

The new £62m CIEF offers funds to businesses unable to access finance from traditional sources. BCRS Business Loans is supporting the CIEF delivery in the West Midlands and Wales by providing secure loans between £25,000 and £150,000 to enable growth and recovery plans.

1000 Trades co-owner John Stapleton said: “We were not able to access finance from traditional bank routes so we were advised to engage with BCRS Business Loans and ART Business Loans to support our plans to turn premises which were previously a café and tearoom into a bar restaurant.

“We have benefited from the support of BCRS Business Loans and ART Business Loans to use the funds for fitting out the interior and kitting out the kitchens. 1000 Trades On The Park has a very different feel to the Jewellery Quarter as it is a hub for everyone, with people of all ages visiting the park and a true community feel.

“The experience of building 1000 Trades in the centre of Birmingham has given us confidence as, with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we have learned a great deal. Our mantra continues to be quality and variety, which is the approach we have now brought to Bearwood.”

BCRS Business Loans Senior Business Development Manager Lynn Wyke added: “Congratulations to the team behind 1000 Trades who have navigated a challenging period for hospitality businesses to grow. With a high calibre team including a MasterChef winner on board, BCRS Business Loans is pleased to support them through the new CIEF.

“Backed by funders including Lloyds Bank, the latest CIEF allows us to continue to support growing companies in some of the most economically challenged areas in the country to create jobs and bring further positive social impact.”

Rozna Haque, Business Lending Manager at ART Business Loans, said: “ART’s remit is to ensure that viable businesses like 1000 Trades On The Park can access the finance they need so we have been delighted to fund their growth plans.

“The team have a great story to build upon and are all set to generate further success with their latest opening. Small businesses like 1000 Trades On The Park are the lifeblood of our region so we look forward to seeing them thrive and will continue to support companies with viable business plans looking to grow.”

Stuart Pawelczyk, of Business Finance Expert (Midlands), advised the 1000 Trades team. Stuart added: “It was a pleasure to be instructed by the team at 1000 Trades to support them in raising finance. After taking the time to understand their story and future plans, it was evident traditional bank funding wasn’t an option.

“After working closely with the teams at BCRS and ART, it became clear there was a genuine hunger from these lenders to support a thriving Birmingham based business with its growth aspirations. We were delighted to play our part in securing the funding for 1000 Trades and wish the team huge success moving forwards. A massive thank you to the teams at BCRS and ART for supporting our client.”

Funded by Lloyds Bank, along with social impact investor Better Society Capital (BSC) and contributions from the three participating CDFIs, BCRS Business Loans, Business Enterprise Fund and Finance for Enterprise, the new CIEF aims to back 800 small businesses nationally and support 10,500 jobs.

The latest fund for small businesses operating in economically disadvantaged areas, which follows a successful first phase of CIEF funding, is managed by Social Investment Scotland (SIS), which has been investing in the social sector since 2001 and is itself a CDFI. BCRS Business Loans delivered loans during the original CIEF programme.

Andrew Asaam, West Midlands Ambassador at Lloyds Bank, said: “We are delighted that 1000 Trades On The Park is benefitting from our recent investment in the Community Investment Enterprise Fund, creating jobs at an eatery in a popular community park. Lloyds Banking Group is committed to helping business owners access funding, creating jobs and opportunities across the West Midlands.”

Victoria Crisp, Investment Manager at Better Society Capital, added: “Better Society Capital is pleased to see how CIEF is already being put to good use to create a positive impact through funding opportunities in the West Midlands such as 1000 Trades On The Park. We are committed to building fair opportunity through expanding the reach to small enterprises which can grow thanks to the progress of CDFIs like BCRS Business Loans.”

The delivery of the new CIEF comes after BCRS Business Loans was named as a fund manager for the £130m Investment Fund for Wales and for the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, which will deliver a £400m commitment of new funding for businesses across the Midlands.

Since BCRS Business Loans launched in 2002, it has provided loans worth more than £85m to businesses. A social impact report for the last financial year showed BCRS lent £6.5m to 72 businesses, safeguarding 999 jobs and creating 473 roles, adding £33.7m in value to the economy of the West Midlands and surrounding regions.