NPIF II funding to help marquee hire firm add ‘wow factor’ to events
Press release
A Yorkshire company that supplies marquees for some of the UK’s most exclusive events has raised a six-figure funding package from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to add a spectacular new structure to its range.
The English Marquee Company which is based in Ripon, has already taken delivery of its latest addition, which is capable of holding 350 people, and is currently installed at a high-profile private members’ club and hotel in the Cotswolds.
The 500 sq ft structure, known as the Nord, has been made to the company’s own specification and consists of glass panels with a glulam frame - an engineered wood product that is a more sustainable alternative to steel. It is one of a growing number of innovative marquees that the business offers, alongside its glass orangeries and more traditional pole tent range.
The English Marquee Company provides structures for everything from a small garden party to lavish weddings and major corporate events. Customers include Newby Hall and Grantley Hall in Yorkshire, as well as high-net worth individuals and leading event planners.
The business was founded in 2018 by brother and sister Sam and Victoria (Tor) Peters who spotted a gap in the market for marquee hire. The company now employs around 30 staff.
Tor Peters, founder and Director, says:
In recent years, particularly since the pandemic, both businesses and individuals have placed greater value on bringing people together, creating connections and crafting unforgettable experiences. Our marquees provide an exceptional centrepiece or backdrop to any event.
We pride ourselves on our stunning range, our responsive customer service and our ability to transform even the most challenging, hard to access sites. This latest funding from Mercia and NPIF allows us to add another innovative marquee to our range in line with our aim to create the most sought-after event spaces.
Andy Clough of Mercia Debt adds:
Sam and Tor had a vision to take marquee hire to a new level and create the most spectacular events spaces. The business has been growing exponentially and is now the go-to supplier for elite event planners and private clients. Mercia and NPIF have provided several rounds of funding to help them build their product range and are pleased to have played a part in their success.
Lizzy Upton, Senior Manager at the British Business Bank, said:
The events industry has really picked up over the last two years, with people looking for ways to socialise post-Covid. It’s brilliant to watch Yorkshire businesses like the English Marquee Company using NPIF II to capitalise on this, using the Fund to purchase new equipment to support its growth and unlock potential in the region.
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.
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Notes to editors
About Mercia Ventures
Mercia Ventures is a proactive venture capital investor focused on being the first-choice partner for growth. Mercia Ventures makes equity investments of up to £10million across all sectors, with specialisms in Software, Consumer, Healthcare and Deep Tech.
Mercia Ventures is a trading name of investment funds managed by Mercia Fund Management Limited and Mercia Regional Ventures Limited, part of the Mercia Asset Management PLC Group, and sits alongside the Group’s wider private equity, debt and proprietary balance sheet operations. The Group has 11 offices in the UK, and Mercia Ventures’ national footprint and 48 strong investment team draws on their experiences as founders, PhD scientists, software engineers, corporate financiers and management consultants to help our partner companies successfully achieve their ambitions. As at 30 September 2023, Mercia Asset Management PLC has c.£1.5billion of assets under management. Mercia Asset Management PLC is quoted on AIM with the epic "MERC".
The Group raises its own Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Funds, and details about open offers can be found through Mercia’s website.
Mercia Asset Management PLC is quoted on AIM with the epic "MERC" and includes the following wholly owned subsidiaries -
- Mercia Fund Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 524856
- Mercia Regional Ventures Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 183363
- Mercia Business Loans Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 443560
- Frontier Development Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 829697
About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
- Operated by the British Business Bank, NPIF II provides a mix of debt and equity funding. NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the North’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development.
- The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Liverpool City Region, Leeds City Region, South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority, York & North Yorkshire, Humber and East Yorkshire, Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne & Wear
- Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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