A TRIO of new creative businesses have taken-up residence at Fargo Village.
Spray Station, Choc ‘n’ Roll and The Green Unicorn are the three newest start-ups to move into premises at the creative village.
Choc ‘n’ Roll, owned by former Stratford-upon-Avon lecturer Tony Davies, specialises in producing hand-made chocolates and macaroons.
After 15 years of working with chocolate, including a period at the Swedish Houses of Parliament, Mr Davies decided to set up his own business and has plans to bring a fine desserts club and chocolate-making workshops to Fargo.
Spray Station will bring one of the world’s fastest growing art trends to Coventry – Aerosolgrafia
Owner Andy Clare specialising in the artform after he started demonstrating his talents on the streets of Coventry city centre – eventually selling enough of his paintings to start up his own studio at Fargo.
The artist will also offer personal tuition and group workshops to train people in the aspects of spray paint and street art.
Nikki Chetwynd’s The Green Unicorn is a brand new shop that will cater for the needs of the city’s growing Vegan community.
The store will provide food, groceries, snacks, chilled and frozen foods for vegans – and will also sell vegan themed handcrafted gifts.
Nikki, who has been a vegan for three years, said: “I found Fargo Village and just fell in love with the place, especially the shipping containers as they were the perfect size for a start-up and the rent charges were very competitive.
“Having a mentor from the Chamber with whom to discuss my business has been invaluable and has enabled me to have the confidence to really give it my best shot.
“I know I’ve got some good times and bad times ahead, but I’m so glad I took the plunge.”
All three start-ups received free advice from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce business advisor Wendy Brown and Nikki also took advantage of free courses in starting a business.
Wendy said: “Fargo Village is a fantastic space and perfect for these new business – with whom it has been a pleasure to work with over the past few months.
“Each of the three have taken the plunge to go out of their comfort zone and start their own business, they have done brilliantly so far and I wish them the best of luck in the future.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils.
