A COUPLE who are expanding their clay pigeon shooting business are to become one of the first firms in the North East to get a new type of financing.

Oak Lodge Shooting Ground based at Brierton, near Billingham is one of the first North East SME businesses to benefit from the new National Loan Guarantee Scheme [NLGS].

Andrew and Kelly Calvert, who operate the business, used the scheme to help expand the premises with a new club house, and in doing so have received a cashback lump sum of £5,666 from Barclays.

The husband and wife team, who took the business over this year, plan to be the premier shooting ground in the North East and are already working closely with Cleveland Police to ensure that all gun licence holders have access and details for the club so that they can practise in a safe environment with expert tuition.

Andrew said: “I have been shooting for many years but realised after spending many weekends travelling to other clubs across the UK that it would be great to have some facilities in the North East.

“We’re now able to offer tuition and clay target activity for people of all ages and levels of experience together with corporate days – which is a fantastic way to either entertain clients or motivate staff or simply have a fun day out.”

He has a vast amount of county and regional titles to his name and currently represents the North of England Sporting team. Richard Haswell, business manager at Barclays, said: “Andrew and Kelly have worked closely with Hartlepool Enterprise Centre to produce a great plan for the new business and have some good initiatives they can put into place as the business expands. It’s really encouraging to see businesses thrive in the current environment and demonstrates there are good deals to be done across the North East for ambitious entrepreneurs.”