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Consultancy

New start consultancy for first-time hospitality owners.

Test your idea, build a plan, secure funding and avoid the costly mistakes that catch newcomers out, with an experienced adviser alongside you.

Passion starts a business. Preparation keeps it open.

Many people dream of a restaurant, a small hotel or a guest house. Far fewer have a clear picture of the costs, hours, regulation and cash needed before the first guest pays a bill.

We sit down with you, ask the difficult questions respectfully and help you shape a venture that fits both the market and your own life. If the idea needs adjusting, you find out before you have signed a lease.

Best for

First-time owners, career changers and families entering the hospitality sector.

What you receive

A tested concept, a business plan with forecasts, funding preparation, site guidance and a launch plan.

How we work

Regular working sessions at your pace, in plain language, with honest advice at every stage.

What we help with

The foundations of a new venture

Idea testing

Find out who will pay, how much and how often, before you commit your savings.

Local demand and competitor review
Customer and price testing
Concept refinement
Go or no-go recommendation

Business plan and forecasts

A clear plan that shows the numbers and the assumptions behind them.

Opening cost schedule
Cash flow and break-even analysis
First-year trading forecast
Personal income expectations

Funding and structure

Prepare for lenders and funders and choose a structure with your accountant.

Funding options and lender packs
Equity, loan and grant considerations
Legal structure discussion
Insurance overview

Finding the right site

Assess locations, leases and buildings before you are committed.

Location and footfall review
Lease terms and negotiation points
Building condition and suitability
Planning and licensing considerations

Licences and legal basics

Understand what you need, in which order, and who to speak to.

Premises licence and registration steps
Health, safety and fire requirements
Employment basics
Data protection and consumer law

Launch and early marketing

A first-ninety-days plan that builds awareness and regular customers.

Name, brand and website
Online listings and reviews
Opening promotion
Early customer feedback loop

Straight answers

Questions we help you answer.

We will not promise that a business is a good idea. We will help you find out whether it is.

How much money do I really need?Opening costs, working capital and a buffer for the slower first months.
Is this the right site?Footfall, parking, seasonality, lease terms and building condition.
Can I make a living from it?Break-even covers, margins and what your own income realistically looks like.
What will I need to learn?Skills gaps and who to bring in to cover them.
What if it starts slowly?A downside plan agreed before you sign anything.

Journey

Our new start programme

Discovery conversation

Your goals, funds, experience and constraints.

Concept and feasibility

Test the idea against the market and refine it.

Plan and funding

Build the plan and approach lenders with confidence.

Set up and launch

Move into delivery, with our setup and project teams if you wish.

Common questions

Before you get in touch

Straightforward answers to what clients usually ask first. For anything else, send us an enquiry.

I have never worked in hospitality. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily. We will help you identify skills gaps and plan who to hire, so you are not relying on guesswork.

How much money do I need to start?

It varies widely by type of venue. We build a realistic opening budget and cash-flow forecast specific to your idea.

Can you help me find a property?

We help you define what to look for, test sites against your plan and review leases before you sign.

Will you take over once I have a plan?

We can. Our setup and project management teams can carry the project through to opening.

Related services

Enquire

Tell us about your project.

A few lines is enough. We will reply with first thoughts and suggest a sensible next step.

Email[email protected]
Telephone01343 508100
Office25a High Street, Elgin, Scotland, IV30 1EE
ResponseWe reply to every enquiry promptly with a suggested next step.