Farm secures bank funding for holiday business expansion

18 May 2022

A farm in Pickering, North Yorkshire, has secured a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support premise development and growth of its holiday let business.

Shire Stays, situated on Cliff Farm, has developed two, state of the art holiday pods on its estate. The pods are built into the ground and fully equipped with fitted bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, kitchen areas and king-sized beds.

The HSBC UK supported lets can fit between 2-6 guests at a time. Each pod has its own private hot tub, along with skylights integrated into the pods.

The new premises on the 150-acre farm enables the business to diversify its revenue stream, as well as support further employment of staff on site.

As a result of the HSBC UK funded development, Shire Stays is anticipating a 35 per cent increase in turnover over the next 12 months.

Rob Scalding, Managing Director at Shire Stays said: “The development of these holiday lets at Cliff Farm will provide a diversified income steam for us, whilst allowing customers to have direct access to the North Yorkshire Moors. We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from our guest and there has been a demand from across the UK. We look forward to welcoming more guests onto our farm in months to come.”

Simon Harget, Agriculture Relationship Manager at HSBC UK, added: “We’re delighted to have supported Cliff Farm with the diversification of its business, providing high quality holiday lets for customers. The funding with allow Cliff Farm to continue building its business and create a sustainable future.”

As well as providing holiday lets, Cliff Farm is a working beef and arable farm, producing carbon friendly and highly sustainable beef. The 150-acre farm has capacity to cater for 120 beef animals annually.