A traditional restaurant in Northtop increases profits after receiving support from Business Wales.
Run by Jose Lourenco in North Wales, The Celtic Arms is a traditional restaurant, offering a unique dining experience with freshly cooked meals and function rooms. Jose got in touch with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for support with his growth strategy.
- support from a Growth Adviser
- 2 jobs created since Business Wales’ intervention
- help with marketing and referrals for further support, resulting in the business making a profit
- adopted a sustainability policy
Introduction to business
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Northop County Park, The Celtic Arms is a traditional restaurant, bar and function rooms, seamlessly blending tradition and elegance to create a unique dining experience amongst the North Wales landscape.
Run by Director Jose Lourenco, the restaurant offers new menus and dishes throughout the year, using fresh produce and local ingredients wherever possible.
The business also caters for large parties and special occasions, and is perfectly situated for pre-theatre dinner with Theatre Clwyd just 2.5 miles away.
Why did you decide to set up your own business?
I set up my own business because I love the industry and I love the fact that we are an independent company and not part of a huge chain. I feel the smaller you are, the more personable you can be.
What challenges did you face?
The challenges we have had have involved the usual obstacles that every business owner faces, including aspects such as recruitment. We also have a very high business rates valuation which has been a real burden, but we are always looking at ways to develop and improve our operations.
Business Wales support
Business Wales came on board when Jose was looking at extending the venue. Business Wales’ Growth Adviser Carol Williams arranged specialist advisers to implement a feasibility study, which made Jose aware of key aspects of the business which he needed to focus on.
Carol also referred him to Welsh for Business who were able to help Jose implement Welsh in his menus and signage. This, alongside further support with his growth strategy, allowed The Celtic Arms to increase their client base, create 2 new jobs and make a profit.
With the help of a specialist sustainability adviser, Jose also adopted a sustainability policy and an action plan to allow for positive environmental management.
Outcomes
- support from a Growth Adviser
- 2 jobs created since Business Wales’ intervention
- help with marketing and referrals for further support, resulting in the business making a profit
- adopted a sustainability policy
Business Wales and in particularly Carol have been extremely helpful in many ways. They helped us with a lot of aspects of running the business and pointed us in the right direction to get further help, including support with the creation of tourism signs as well as ensuring all our materials are fully bilingual.
If you want to read more success stories of how Business Wales has helped other people like you to start or grow their businesses, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/case-studies or follow @_businesswales / @_busnescymru on Twitter.