Falkirk Bar Lands £25,000 Grant To Open New Rooms

A family-run bar and restaurant in Falkirk has opened its doors to overnight guests after securing £25,000 in grant funding through the Falkirk Growth Fund, with support from Business Gateway.

The Courtyard, located on Baxter’s Wynd, was opened in 2017 by Melissa Harrison. It has built a reputation as a local favourite, drawing customers in with fresh, locally sourced food, a well-stocked bar, regular live music and karaoke nights, and now, six newly renovated, en-suite guest rooms.

The rooms have been created using empty space above the bar, with the grant funding central to completing the project.

The expansion has already proven a hit, attracting national attention, with The Courtyard being featured on Channel 4's Four in a Bed. The team have also seen strong demand since opening the rooms, boosting revenue with further growth forecast for the year ahead.

Business Gateway adviser Ally Kale worked with Melissa to identify the Falkirk Growth Fund as a route to funding the expansion and provided ongoing one-to-one guidance as the business grew. That support extended to advice on expanding the premises and building the team to meet demand, with the package evolving alongside the business as its needs changed.

Alongside the funding support, Melissa attended a digital clinic, which provided social media strategy guidance and led to an ongoing relationship with a consultant who now manages The Courtyard's social media channels.

A new website, developed with further Business Gateway expert help on digital media and IT, has strengthened the business' online presence and driven bookings on the restaurant side. Together, the digital improvements have given The Courtyard a stronger platform to reach new customers and support its growth ambitions.

The Courtyard also accessed Business Gateway's Low Carbon Advisory Service to explore ways to reduce its carbon footprint as it continues to grow.

Melissa Harrison, owner, The Courtyard, said:

“The Courtyard has always been about more than food and drink. It's part of this community, and everything we do is about making it somewhere people genuinely want to be."

“The grant funding made the rooms possible, and that has changed the shape of the business. Ally and the Business Gateway team have helped us see what was achievable and supported us every step of the way.”

Ally Kale, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“Melissa has built something with real character in The Courtyard and it has been a pleasure to support the business in this latest stage of its growth.”

The Falkirk Growth Fund is now closed to applications. Businesses looking for support are encouraged to contact Business Gateway to explore what funding options may be available to them.

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.