A mobile roller disco company in Coventry has received a £26,000 cash injection to help aid its expansion.
Sk8hire secured the cash through the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce's Business Support Investment Fund to help it expand after facing a tough time through the Covid-19 crisis.
The business grant has gone towards a new vehicle which will help the company in its work with schools, community projects and promotional events.
Heath Stone, founder and events manager at Sk8hire, said: "The contrast between today and the hospitality shutdown back in 2020 is remarkable. The business was hit hard and we were forced to strip operations right back to basics.
"We are now looking optimistically to the post-pandemic future. Securing a new vehicle was something we pinpointed as key to our strategy going forwards and we're thankful to the Chamber for helping us achieve this through the funding they've supplied."
The family-run business, which employs 10 staff, recently secured new work with Leicester Council and Brighton Council, with roller skating rinks planned in both cities for the summer months.
Sk8hire is now hoping to win work with two further leisure centres in the coming months following on from its first weekly roller disco events outside of the Midlands in Andover and Plymouth.
It is also looking to use the backing to relaunch its international operations, following on from projects in Dubai, Hungary and Spain.
Heath added: "We've been to Barcelona, Budapest and back again delivering roller discos to business functions, private events, after parties and festivals in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
"It's been a wonderful journey so far with ups and downs – which first began after our initial conversation with the Chamber 12 years ago."
Business advisor, Helena Bassett, has been Sk8hire's contact through the Accelerated Growth Programme. This project forms part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Helena said: "It's been great to support Heath and the team at Sk8hire and watch them progress into the diverse business they are today.
"It's been a very difficult time for many companies - so to be able to help a local business establish itself and progress through the winning of new business and offering employment opportunities for local businesspeople is really important to us.
"We'd encourage other businesses to get in touch with the Chamber to find out how we can support them and help to grow their company and the regional economy as a whole."
