Pictured: Vincent and Sarah-Jane Fletcher, owners of
Wymondham Windmill with (centre) Tom Gawne, relationship manager
for Lloyds TSB Commercial
Well known Melton Mowbray-based visitor attraction centre,
Wymondham Windmill and tearooms has been bought by an
entrepreneurial local couple, after they secured a six-figure
business loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.
Husband and wife team Vincent and Sarah-Jane Fletcher have
bought the unique rural visitor attraction, which includes six
craft workshop units and sales outlets, three cottages, as well as
a highly popular children's play area.
The business currently employs seven people, as well as a
further eight staff members across the centre's various retail
units, which include photography studies, a bicycle shop, ladies
fashions and a florist.
Central to the eight acre site is the historic Wymondham
Windmill, which was built in 1814 and was still working until the
1960s. Now one of only four '6-sailed' mills in the UK, the
Wymondham Windmill has been partially restored and provides those
people who are willing to climb to the top with a superb view of
the surrounding countryside.
After identifying the potential to further develop and expand
the centre's facilities further in the future, Vincent and
Sarah-Jane approached Lloyds TSB Commercial to secure lending to
purchase the business.
Wymondham Windmill will host an open day on Saturday 3rd
September in order to re-introduce local people to the facilities
that the site has to offer. Entrance is free of charge, with pony
rides, face painting and a bouncy castle on offer.
Sarah-Jane Fletcher, joint owner of Wymondham Windmill
commented:
"Wymondham Windmill is well known amongst the community and we
hope that many local people will join us at the open day on 3rd
September to see for themselves what the site has to offer.
"With such an impressive range of unique retail units, a
children's play area and the historic significance of the windmill,
all set in beautiful rural surroundings, the site really does have
something for all of the family. Looking forward, we hope to expand
the site's facilities in the future, with additional retail units
as well as a children's nursery.
"It is great to have received lending support from Lloyds TSB
Commercial, in order to support the initial purchase of our
business. We have received an excellent and attentive service from
the team on a local level - they understand what we are looking to
achieve and have provided the financial support needed to execute
our plans."
Tom Gawne, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial,
said:
"Wymondham Windmill is a business which brings together
retailers, leisure and catering facilities and the great outdoors,
all against the backdrop of an important local historical
landmark.
"Having presented a well thought out business plan, Vincent and
Sarah-Jane have identified clear strategic objectives to maximise
future growth in the company and we were extremely keen to help
support this new business launch.
"At Lloyds TSB Commercial, we work hard to establish solid
working relationships with all of our customers. Local lending
discretion is an important part of the service we offer our
customers and as relationship managers, we have the authority to
lend up to £500,000."