Balsham-based owner of The TEAPOD says a council's support through the pandemic ensured its survival

The owner of a mobile catering business is encouraging companies to ask for advice from a district council after celebrating her own success thanks to its support through the pandemic and beyond.

Thérèse Coyne created a bespoke trailer for her wedding and corporate event catering business, The TEAPOD, specialising in treats like sweet and savoury crêpes and waffles alongside speciality teas, milkshakes and smoothies and bubble teas - and coffee is coming soon.

Set up in February 2020, and with 15 bookings ready to go, the pandemic hit within days of her launch and the entire hospitality industry was placed on hold.

Thérèse, of Balsham, just nine miles from Haverhill in Suffolk, said: “It was a devastating blow for such a young business. It meant I wasn’t eligible for government support and had no idea how I was going to cope.”

Luckily, she was directed to South Cambridgeshire District Council’s (SCDC) Business Support team which helped her access a Growth Fund grant, using money from the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant.

The money was used to train as an independent celebrant and fund an ongoing marketing campaign, so when the time was right, she could jump straight back into running The TEAPOD and expand services within the industry she loves.

“Without the council’s support, my little business would not have survived,” Thérèse said.

“The team gave me sound advice around diversification and kept me focused on opportunities in the wedding and corporate events space along with the means to invest in marketing and staff training.

“With an unusable trailer sitting on the driveway, I had to think outside the box but stay ‘laser focused’ on the industry I was so invested in.

“I had worked hard to establish contacts at local wedding venues so, whilst we were all “locked in,” I used my grant from the Growth Fund to train as a wedding celebrant. I did enough marketing to make sure potential clients were aware that The TEAPOD was still trading.

“It all meant I was ‘business-ready’ for when we able to reopen.

“We had a steady stream of bookings for 2022 and lots of testimonials from happy clients - I am chuffed!”

As a certified independent celebrant Thérèse trades as Butterfly Heart Celebrations.

Meanwhile, The TEAPOD has grown to employ a team of adults and young people, including one young person who has suffered a brain injury.

Thérèse’s background in Learning and Development means she can encourage and assist young people in valuable life skills through working in public facing roles.

The TEAPOD also has a ‘pop-up’ gazebo to complement the trailer, to provide catering at events of all sizes, from weddings to corporate events and private parties.

Cllr Peter McDonald, SCDC’s lead cabinet member for economic development, said: “We are committed to supporting local businesses of all sizes and are proud we could help Thérèse develop and grow her company, creating valuable employment opportunities for local people.

“We would urge anyone else looking for advice and support to get in touch.”