60 millionth pound helps Scottish couple grow more than just flowers
HOME / / 60 millionth pound helps Scottish couple grow more than just flowers
The British Business Bank has dished out sixty million pounds of financial backing for small businesses in Scotland.
The recipients of the sixty millionth pound secured their loan through Transmit Startups.
Business owners Scott and Rebecca Masterton from Lockerbie, applied for a Start Up Loan in December 2022, with ambitions to expand their flower-growing business.
With the support of their Transmit Business Advisor, the couple were able to draw down the funds in March 2023. The money has been used to create and launch a unique new on-site accommodation offer for the summer.
Scott said:
“Floristry began as a hobby for my wife, Rebecca, but thanks to funding and support from avenues like the Start Up Loans programme, we’ve been able to make it a full-time career.”
The Pretty Wild Flower Company was launched shortly after the pair got married, when Rebecca noticed a gap in the market for sustainable, locally sourced flowers for wedding bouquets and venue decorations.
With skills from his day job in agriculture and forestry, Scott was able to turn an unused plot of land beside their home into the perfect site for a flower farm.
“Sustainability is at the heart of all that we do and our flowers are grown organically and picked by hand. The polytunnels we use were recycled from another local farm, and we’re also developing our dried flower business which means fewer freshly cut plants end up as waste," said Scott.
A new revenue stream
Adding a new shepherd’s hut glamping unit in the middle of the Christmas tree field provides accommodation for two people. Their Start Up Loan also helped Scott and Rebecca purchase a small tractor and install two new polytunnels, increasing their flower-growing capacity by a third.
Scott said:
“In addition to growing stunning flowers, we’ve seen growing demand for interactive experiences and workshops that our customers can get more involved in. We’re already working on plans to incorporate a pick-your-own element for people who stay at the new shepherd’s hut. The location is unlike anything else and will offer a picturesque, off-grid escape in the middle of our Christmas tree field."
Edinburgh has seen the largest proportion of Start Up Loans delivered to entrepreneurs with over £9.2 million of funding provided across 833 loans.
Image credit: British Business bank / Pretty Wild Flower Co.
"We’re delighted to be the 2000th loan recipients!"