A start up restaurant in Newquay, the Fish House at Fistral has been awarded with the Start Up Business of the Year award by the Start Up Loans Company.
The restaurant, launched in 2014 by Paul and Elise Harwood, has had a fantastic first year trading. Having worked as a chef since 1999 with previous experience as the Head Chef at Rick Steins Café in Padstow as well as Assistant Executive Chef at the Seafood Restaurant Group, Paul wanted to open his own establishment and focus on local, fresh produce.
With thousands of other start up businesses supported during the year, The Fish House stood out to the Start Up Loans Company due to their first year’s trading figures, how well they had managed to establish themselves in a highly competitive area for restaurants and the reviews from visitors on TripAdvisor.
Paul’s wife, Elise manages the front of house at the café as well as the administrative elements of the business. The husband and wife team made an application to SWIG Finance for a Start Up Loan to help fund the costs of renovating the building and received support during the business planning phase from SWIG Finance mentor, Graham Ashton.
Paul said: Graham was a massive help from the start. He mentored me through taking on a business loan, getting me to believe in myself and converting an empty shell into my own fish restaurant in my home town of Newquay.