Business Gateway support was the perfect fit for Isle of Lewis furniture manufacturer

About the business

Starting as a passion project in an unused spare room, Heb Fitted Furniture manufactures and installs affordable bespoke shelving and cupboards to create a fully fitted look in awkward places around the home, where standard furniture or shop-bought units do not fit. Unique in its offering, these products are simply not available on the high street.

How Business Gateway has helped

Prior to launching in July last year, owner John Groom approached Business Gateway for start-up support with an end goal of improving his workspace.

With support from the service, his business was soon awarded a £2,500 grant through the Outer Hebrides Young Entrepreneurs Start-up Scheme (OHYESS), delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’ Business Gateway service and funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Business Gateway also helped John secure an interest-free Comhairle loan of £2,000 and provided advice on his business plan.

The funding allowed John to purchase a wide range of tools and equipment that have elevated his services and improved his workshop. Thanks to the newly upgraded workspace, Heb Fitted Furniture has expanded its offering to provide services to both homeowners and business premises such as office spaces or manufacturing areas.

Owner of Heb Fitted Furniture, John, commented: “Without the advice and support from Business Gateway, I wouldn’t have secured the necessary funding to transform my shed into a functional workplace. The new equipment and improved workshop have allowed me to design a new range of bespoke furniture that simply is not available on the high street.

“Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic was certainly a risk, and while I’ve had had to navigate various restrictions during a key period of growth, Business Gateway’s guidance gave me a real confidence boost to start a business in these uncertain times.”

What’s next?

Due to the increasing demand for porch, bedroom and utility room furniture thanks to people spending more time at home, John is now in the best position to continue manufacturing furniture for these spaces.