Marketing and Tech company secures £40K grant funding from Coventry and Warwickshire LEP

A specialist marketing and technology group has a new home in a Warwickshire town after receiving a grant from Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership to help make its move possible.

CAB Studios, launched 20 years ago, specialises in building digital platforms and online marketing and has worked with clients ranging from the Body Shop to Fitness First.

After being based in Longbarn Village in Alcester for the last seven years, the business decided to buy premises in the town with more of its 31-strong staff splitting their time between the office and working from home.

CAB Studios was successful in receiving £40,000 towards installing new floors, painting, plastering, and internal work to provide a creative work space.

Matt Wood, a partner at CAB Studios, said: “As a business, receiving this grant has been one of the best things we have ever received because in the past, we thought this doesn’t happen to businesses like ours,” he said. “It has made a monumental difference.

“Covid-19 made everyone aware that there are different ways of working but your culture can stay strong because it is more about the values of the business.

“We had a war chest to cover the deposit of buying the building but we didn’t have any money for the fit-out.

“Jim mentioned The Additional Restrictions Grant grant which was focused on supporting businesses with their post-pandemic recovery plans so we put a business case together to show our investment in the High Street in Alcester.

“Our staff absolutely love it here because it is light and airy with collaborative space and since we are hot-desking it is a great way to get to know colleagues."

Jim Clark, account manager at CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “We provided a great deal of support to Matt and his team during the pandemic when they lost the hospitality sector of their business virtually overnight and they struggled to receive financial support because they were classed as a support service.

“But they reduced the cost of their retainers or put them on hold altogether and that proved to be a wise decision since CAB Studios is growing again.

“As part of their move, they paid BT Open Reach £6,000 to have Super-Fast Broadband installed into their building which was the first in Alcester High Street and, as a result, all businesses in this street now have access to Super-Fast Broadband.

“More of their staff now want to work in the office which means they are also bringing trade to Alcester town centre so it is move which has been beneficial on so many levels.”

Cllr Jo Barker, Homes, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio at Stratford District Councial, said: “Having spent all its original Government Grant Funding, the Council  took the decision to focus the additional £1.2 million on those businesses who were reacting to the consequences of the pandemic.

“The Council was very clear that we wanted the funding spread across the whole district and that it was about saving and creating jobs for the future. The results have been excellent.”