Client Testimonials
Hear from some of our valued clients:
Alston House Hotel, Alston
Mike, Carole & Simone Allchorne
“We first got in touch with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce back in 2019, when we were feeling a bit stuck with where to take the business next. That’s when we met Andrea – and honestly, we’ve never looked back.
Since then, she has been a lifeline for us. She helped us secure grant funding for upgrading the hotel, and to get a brand-new website. But more than that, she gave us the kind of advice that actually works – down-to-earth, straight-talking, and tailored exactly to what we needed.
With her help, we’ve brought in a channel manager, kicked off some proper digital marketing, and given the business a real boost. We’ve seen year-on-year growth, and we’re now in a stronger, more confident place than ever before. We’re ahead of the game, with the right tools, and a clear plan for the future.
Andrea just gets it. She’s not only brilliant at what she does – she’s also open, trustworthy, and really easy to talk to. We’re so grateful for everything she’s done, and we’d happily recommend her to any business that needs a fresh perspective and a bit of a push.”
Archdeacon of Carlisle
Ruth Newton
“As a Christian retreat centre, Rydal Hall has always focused on providing a place of peace, reflection, and restoration. However, following the challenges of the Covid pandemic, we faced significant hurdles in business development and operational sustainability. At that critical time, we were introduced to Andrea, the Hospitality Counsellor through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Her support in revenue management helped us regain our footing during an uncertain period.
Her insight was so impactful that we invited her to join our board – a decision that has proved invaluable. Since then, she has worked closely with us, providing clear, pragmatic advice across all areas of our operation.
From steering us through industry standards in health and safety, HR, and compliance, to shaping our approach in sales, marketing, and revenue growth – her contributions have been practical, strategic, and deeply appreciated.
Her experience in the hospitality sector has brought a level of professionalism and structure that we would have struggled to achieve alone. Thanks to her ongoing guidance, we are now a more confident, compliant, and sustainable organisation. We are incredibly grateful for her continued support. Quite simply, we would not be where we are today without her.”
The Howard Arms, Brampton
Ruth, Andrew & Ella
“We first met Andrea when she was just starting out with The Hospitality Counsellor and we were launching The Howard Arms here in Brampton. Since then, she’s been our go-to person for advice on everything from finance and marketing to grant funding and building our team. Her support has played a big part in helping us grow the business into what it is today.
What makes Andrea stand out is how well she understands the hospitality industry and how down-to-earth and practical her advice always is. She really takes the time to get to know you and your business, and her guidance is always tailored, thoughtful, and easy to put into action.
Whether we’re facing a big decision or just need a bit of clarity, she’s the first person we turn to. Working with Andrea has made a real difference – not just to the business, but to us personally as well. She’s helped us build confidence, solve problems, and keep moving forward with purpose.
We can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone in hospitality looking for honest, expert support from someone who truly gets it.”
Wildscapes Retreat
Suzie Metcalfe
“When I returned to the UK from New Zealand, I saw a real opportunity to diversify our family farm to create something more sustainable for the future. But turning vision into reality isn’t easy – that’s where the Hospitality Counsellor became absolutely invaluable.
From the very beginning, Andrea understood not just my ideas, but the bigger picture – how everything from business planning and funding, to operations and practical delivery, needed to work in harmony. Their clarity and collaborative approach meant I always felt supported and empowered to take the next step with confidence.
Over many hours of one-to-one support – all fully funded through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Cumbria – I was able to move from initial yoga classes, to launching a camping offering, and finally securing funding to develop our full retreat centre. What started as one idea is now on its way to being three thriving arms of a sustainable, wellness-focused business.
The Hospitality Counsellor has been my trusted advisor every step of the way – the person I go to for guidance, insight, and practical answers. They didn’t just help me build a business – they helped shape a future I truly believe in. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without their expert support and encouragement.”
The Tranquil Otter Ltd.
Nicholas Kittoe
“Andrea worked with us at first to raise the performance of our housekeeping, quickly winnng the admiration and acceptance of our team. Subsequently, Andrea quickly grasped our distinctive position in the hospitality market and led us to several very valuable improvements in both occupancy and margin.”
Brooklands Guest House
Sue Grundy
Sue Grundy, owner of Brooklands Guest House in Penrith, highlights the practical value of the business support she received through Enterprising Cumbria, particularly from Hospitality Counsellor Andrea Whigham.
Brooklands Guest House is an eight-bedroom Victorian property in Penrith, offering a mix of traditional character and modern comfort. I focus on creating a welcoming environment for guests, with attention to detail and high standards across accommodation and breakfast. Recognition such as the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award, a Booking.com score of 9.5, and being the winner of ‘Four in a Bed’ reflect the level of service we aim to maintain.
“Shortly after purchasing Brooklands Guest House, Andrea got in touch at a point when I was still finding my feet. Although I have experience as a business owner, this was my first time operating in the hospitality sector, and there were a number of new considerations to get to grips with.
Andrea helped me understand the legal and regulatory requirements involved in running a guest house, which gave me a clearer framework to work within. Having that guidance early on made the process more straightforward and reduced some of the uncertainty that comes with starting in a new industry.
She has also kept me informed about relevant grants and funding opportunities, which has been useful alongside the day-to-day demands of running the business. It’s easy to miss this kind of information when you’re focused on operations, so having someone flag it is a real benefit.
Andrea has become a reliable point of contact for general business queries. When needed, she has also signposted me to additional support, including help with digital marketing, which has supported the development of my online presence.
Running a small business often means covering a wide range of roles, so having access to straightforward, knowledgeable support makes a difference. The support available through Enterprising Cumbria has been both practical and accessible, and it’s something I’ve found valuable as I’ve established the business.
Overall, Andrea’s support has helped me approach the business with greater clarity and confidence, and I would recommend the service to others entering the hospitality sector.
Grace Forge
Ellie Barden
“Grace Forge was founded to create meaningful opportunities through blacksmithing, heritage craft, and community engagement. What began as a small, values-led initiative has grown into a structured organisation focused on inclusivity, wellbeing, and skills development. As demand increased, transitioning into a limited company required clear guidance to support sustainable growth while staying true to our mission.
Andrea Whigham’s support as a business advisor through Enterprising Cumbria has been instrumental throughout this process. Her expertise spans key areas including health and safety, marketing, and human resources, helping us strengthen our foundations and implement effective systems.
Where specialist input was needed, Andrea consistently signposted us to trusted professionals and networks, ensuring we always had access to the right support. Her guidance around grant funding was particularly valuable, helping us secure resources that have directly supported our development.
Andrea’s approach is both professional and genuinely supportive. She takes time to understand not just the organisation, but the people behind it, building strong and meaningful relationships. As Ellie Barden of Grace Forge, I can confidently say:
“Andrea’s expertise and knowledge have been invaluable in supporting Grace Forge to grow and establish itself as a limited company. Andrea cares not just about the business’ success, but also about the people involved, building trusting, meaningful relationships with us.” Her insight and encouragement have made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for her support.”