Fledgling interior design business wins bank support

Manchester-based interior designing business The Design House is embarking on a string of new projects backed by a business loan funded by NatWest.

The Design House specialises in interior design projects for show-homes, as well as residential services and commercial projects.

The business is owned and managed by Katie Barrett who has a decade of professional interior design experience.

The Design House is currently carrying out a show-home design commissions for Countryside Properties prestigious Belgravia development located on the desirable Cuckoo Lane, Woolton in Liverpool.

The Design House was launched in May 2016. NatWest has provided a five-figure loan to assist Katie with the costs of starting up her business.

Barrett said: “The majority of our work is business to business where we have developed bespoke interiors for show homes.

“It’s a specialist area and we work with clients on making sure the designs reflect the property development while also appealing to potential buyers. We are at the early stages in our business development but have some very exciting projects in the pipeline.”

To support her business, Katie was introduced to Entrepreneurial Spark by NatWest.
Entrepreneurial Spark Powered By NatWest is based in NatWest’s office in Hardman Boulevard, Manchester.

Run alongside partners KPMG Enterprise, Dell EMC and Pinset Masons, Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free business accelerator for start-up and scale up businesses and has provided free support, mentoring, networking and office accommodation for over 650 businesses in hubs or Hatcheries across the UK.  
 
Barrett was supported by Fadi Fattahi, relationship manager NatWest, who was able to secure funding enabling The Design House to start trading.

Barrett said: “The support I have had from Entrepreneurial Spark and NatWest has been invaluable. It’s been fantastic to work alongside the other entrepreneurs and develop my business vision.  Fadi and NatWest have been incredibly supportive in helping me develop my business plan and in finding a funding solution to meet my needs.”

Fattahi said: “It’s an exciting time for Katie and The Design House, and will continue to be so as they move forward. It’s been a privilege to see the business develop from the early start-up stage and we wish Katie and the business every success for the future.”