"We are working with schools throughout Cheshire and Cheshire East and now have great partnerships with organisations such as the Duke of Edinburgh."
Suzanne Miller
Pitch & Canvas in Tattenhall is run by Suzanne Miller and her husband Drew, a dairy farmer. Suzanne just has been presented with the Small Business of the Year accolade at the inaugural English Women’s Awards for their company, based on their farm overlooking Peckforton hills.
The couple launched Pitch & Canvas in Spring 2017, after managing a pop up campsite for the popular Carfest North festival and seeing the demand that reached beyond the two static caravans they owned at the time. “We knew we had a wonderful site here on the farm and we knew there was a massive amount of interest, but we didn’t have a clue where to start,” admits Suzanne, who is also helped by her children George, 14 and Abi, nine.
“Thankfully, Reaseheath College made me aware of fully funded business courses in Cheshire and I was able to benefit from expert advice and guidance in setting up a business, from accounting to insurance to marketing.”
The hard work paid off. The company expanded quickly; working with local suppliers it surpassed its five-year aims and now offers two static caravans, two glamping pods, 20 camping pitches and two bell tents for hire. As a result, Suzanne beat out established competition from across the Northwest for the Small Business of the Year Award.
Suzanne concludes: “It has been an incredible year; we are working with schools throughout Cheshire and Cheshire East and now have great partnerships with organisations such as the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Without the support from Reaseheath College and the local community, we would not have got off the ground; all the digital coaching, finance and general support was amazing - and our lovely village has been behind us all the way.”
Suzanne’s business advice was provided by the ERDF-funded Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth Programme, which offers fully funded support to pre-starts, new start-ups and SMEs. The programme delivers bespoke expertise and knowledge by signing companies up with relevant delivery partners to supply one-to-one advice and guidance, workshops, seminars and masterclasses. Suzanne worked with Janet Nuzum at Reaseheath College who adds: “We are delighted for Suzanne and Drew; they have created a wonderful family business that appeals to so many consumer demographics, all they needed was the guidance and confidence to go for it.”
