The Yard
The Yard flourishes with support from the CHART project
Tucked away on the outskirts of Hastings Town Centre, The Yard on Waterworks Road is a colourful and re-purposed industrial space, which harbours an ever-growing community of over 40 creative businesses.
From artists, boat makers, carpenters, retailers, and bookbinders to bakers, The Yard is home to a community of individual businesses that all complement each other. In the bright and bustling atmosphere of a sunny day, the businesses here all help each other where they can; from spare parts made, to lending a hand to lift something heavy.
Over the last five years and under the new management of Lucy and Henry Gastall, the space has been transformed to resemble an eclectic market and contain a mix of businesses that you might expect to find in Brighton or London, with artistic wall art and something interesting around every corner (including Half Man Half Burger!).
After being introduced to the CHART team at Let’s Do Business Group, tenants at The Yard were able to benefit from the free support and advice available to businesses in Hastings and Bexhill, where they could access help with their challenges ranging from book-keeping, to confidence marketing their businesses more efficiently.
“The Let’s Do Business Group has been hugely helpful to an array of businesses in The Yard.
Emily has been fantastic in connecting up businesses with the right help for them, making it easy and accessible.
It’s all about removing barriers. Some people may be afraid to ask for help if they need it.
Emily and the Let’s Do Business Group genuinely have the best interests of the businesses they support at heart. It isn’t a tick box exercise, it’s a really tailored service”
Overwrought Forge
Having been based at The Yard for 8 years, Tobias Cobrin has been able to pursue his trade as a blacksmith with his own company Overwrought Forge. His workshop displays an array of his previous works; from metal railings to household items and more, with the glow from the forge warming the whole space.
Under the CHART* project, Tobias was able to get support in acquiring new materials and equipment to allow for his business to expand – the team being able to put him in touch with the right people nearby. He was also able to benefit from free 1-2-1 business support from our business manager Emily, who gave him practical tips on how to market himself and his business to the right customers.
“The support I have received from Let’s Do Business has been incredibly good. They’ve supported me in giving me advice for acquiring materials and equipment to help expand and improve my business”
Waterworks Plant Co
Hidden between a bookbindery and an artist’s studio, Waterworks Plant Company is a green utopia filled with plants, trinkets, and flowers. Business owner Jennie, the creative behind Waterworks, has worked in the area for 15 years but only recent evolved into a plant shop at The Yard. Having previous experience in film and theatre, and then gardening, her transition to an artist studio and plant shop came naturally, combining her two passions to create the space which forms a florist in the front, and an artist’s playground in the back.
Jennie received support from CHART* to make sense of her business plan and where it could take her. Being a creative business, there was potential for her to reach a much wider audience by making herself known on social media channels like Instagram, and she was able to benefit from access to free workshops run by Let’s Do Business Group to improve her knowledge.
“The support I had from the CHART programme was really helpful and helped me to organise my business and how to take it forward. I also attend the social media course, which explained the different networks to me and how to use them”
La Chambre Magique
The smell of fresh paint and beautifully restored vintage furniture greets you inside Beverly’s colourful workspace. After having started painting furniture over 15 years ago and turning it into the business La Chambre Magique 7 years ago, Beverly found a permanent home for her business in The Yard 5 years ago and has only grown busier as time has gone by.
Adapting to new trends and styles of her customers, Beverly has had a lot of success selling her commissions on Etsy and Instagram; her location in The Yard near carpenters and blacksmiths proving particularly handy should she need a spare part or to repair one of her pieces.
With the CHART* programme, Beverly has been able to make sense of the numbers and re-configure her pricing strategy to create a business that supports her and La Chambre Magique’s future growth, as well as gain the confidence to market herself on social media channels to reach new customers.
“The support I have received from CHART has changed my business. The social media course with Cale was brilliant – it gave me confidence to try a different approach with my social channels. Jonathan also was a game changer for me. He made me look at everything within my business, every single cost and expense to help me sort out my financial plan and my pricing.
I have already pushed others into speaking to Let’s Do Business Group – it will really make a difference to your business.”
Katja’s Cakes
Mouth-watering cakes that look more like they belong in an art exhibition than on your table, individually iced and decorated to fit any occasion. Katja’s Cakes are the result of her perfecting her process after making cakes for over 20 years, and years of studying the art of bespoke celebration cakes in one of New York’s first cupcake cafes, where she made cakes for famous names like Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and Bill Clinton.
Three years after arriving at The Yard, Katja’s popularity has exploded in the local area. With support from the CHART* programme, she has been able to gain the confidence to see her worth for her craft, and create a viable business out of Katja’s Cakes that will be sustainable for years to come.
“The change in mindset for me, where suddenly I am worth something, has been fantastic. Getting me organised, helping me to know what I am doing with my money, and valuing myself, my time and my skills. I really can’t thank them enough, it’s been fantastic.”
