Solihull Solihull Chamber Patrons
Investment will help craft rum make a splash
A craft rum business based in Henley-in-Arden, near Solihull, is toasting success following a £30,000 investment from the Richardson family, the entrepreneurs behind the Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill. Burning Barn smoked rum was launched by
Katherine Jenner three years ago, after a severe fire at the family farm. Their house was saved by firefighters but the barn was totally destroyed. Katherine was determined to fight back and
from the ashes she was inspired to launch her own brand of fiery smoked rum that is already building a successful customer base, due to its strong brand and distinct flavours. Katherine’s business was one of three
shortlisted for the Richardson family investment after a pitch competition at Birmingham’s ‘Venturefest’ event. The other two finalists were Birmingham
sisters Reena and Geeta Salhan, who have launched the Green Sisters business creating a
range of Indian snacks that are free from a range of allergens such as gluten, dairy, nuts and sulphite and Coventry-based Jeff Zhang, whose Beacon Helmet uses laser technology to improve safety. Both runners up received a £1,000 prize from the Richardsons’s.
‘Our portfolio is growing in to a range of exciting business interests’
Richardsons spokesman Chris O’Connor said:
“We want to support early stage businesses. All three finalists are really promising, however we thought the investment would have the greatest benefit for Burning Barn, allowing them to take the next few steps and move forward. “Typically we are looking to support growth
capital projects of between £1m and £10m and our portfolio is growing in to a range of exciting business interests.”
Hampton Manor: A ‘foodie hideaway’
Hotel earns place in ‘Sunday Times’ top 100
A Solihull hotel has been named as one of the top 100 places to stay by the influential ‘Sunday Times’ newspaper. It is the first time the hotel has made it
into this prestigious listing. The Hampton-in- Arden hotel is run by three generations of the Hill family. The glowing review described the hotel
and its restaurant as a ‘temple to cutting- edge cuisine’ and a ‘foodie hideaway’. The hotel is on a 45-acre estate once owned by Sir Robert Peel.
December 2018/January 2019 CHAMBERLINK 37
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