WARWICKSHIRE FARM ENJOYS BUMPER YEAR AFTER EXPANDING FACILITIES

A Warwickshire family farm attraction has increased its turnover and is creating new jobs after investing in an all-weather play barn facility, thanks to a £250,000 funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Umberslade Farm Park offers a range of farm-based activities for children from play areas to interacting with animals at the working farm.

Since the play barn opened to the public, the company has seen an uplift in membership and online ticket sales, resulting in a 40 per cent increase in its turnover. As visitor numbers grow to 80,000 per year, the farm is also planning to recruit two new members of staff to help meet the increasing demand.

“The new indoor play barn is a great addition to the farm and means our indoor facilities are now just as strong as our outdoor offering”

The business needed to improve its indoor facilities to make a good farm experience less weather dependent.

The funds have allowed it to buy a new, fully-insulated indoor play barn, with classrooms on a mezzanine, a modern toilet block and baby changing rooms. The funding package forms part of Lloyds Bank’s pledge to lend up to £2.5 billion to Midlands businesses this year.

Oliver Muntz, Director at Umberslade Farm Park, said: “The new indoor play barn is a great addition to the farm and means our indoor facilities are now just as strong as our outdoor offering. As Umberslade Farm Park is family-owned, it’s vital to continue investing in the farm’s development and growth to ensure the next generation can continue our successful legacy.”

Noshad Khowaja, Relationship Manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The farm’s success and continued focus on investment demonstrates its ambition for the future.”