Published: Feb 26, 2024
A home staging firm, based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, has secured £250,000 backing from MEIF Maven Debt Finance. Maven has supported Lemon and Lime Interiors, marking its 100th client through the fund.
Set up to help grow small-medium sized businesses across the Midlands region, the fund has helped a wide range of businesses of varying size and industry sectors to grow the regional economy and create more than 1,300 jobs locally, while also supporting the government in ‘levelling up’ regions across the UK.
Lemon and Lime Interiors was launched in 2015 and specialises in transforming high-end properties, doing everything necessary to prepare them for sale. With growth ambitions across staffing, marketing and service offering, the team have since appointed two new senior staff members in finance and marketing with further sales and operational roles and serviced locations to come.
With UK mortgage rates predicted to drop and house prices starting to soften, more buyers are expected to be active on the property market. However, prices still remain high relative to earnings, and therefore, in order to sell, staging is expected to be in higher demand during 2024.
With expanding services and premium agent partnerships, Lemon & Lime has supported more than 850 occupied and vacant home stagings, achieving sales up to four times faster than comparable properties - often above the asking price.
“The core mission of our business is to ensure speedier transactions and higher prices for property owners, developers and estate agents. We’re focused on creating waves in the industry in order to change outdated and unhelpful marketing tactics currently overused in the property sector.”
Elaine Penhaul, Founder and Director of Lemon and Lime Interiors
“Lemon and Lime is an innovative and award-winning team servicing the Midlands and beyond. It has a unique market proposition and is the perfect example of the type of ambitious and forward-thinking company we aim to support. Elaine is a very accomplished leader and inspirational to her staff and customers, it has been a privilege to work together as we mark our 100th new customer milestone.
Maven Capital Partners are proud to have successfully delivered the MEIF East Midlands debt fund since 2018, supporting 100 SME businesses with growth capital, investing over £45 million and creating over 650 jobs across the region.”Richard Brighty, Investment Manager at Maven
It’s great to see businesses like Lemon and Lime forging ahead with their growth plans thanks to funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. We’re looking forward to seeing what the business achieves next and we’re delighted to support Maven Capital Partners as they reach their 100th deal milestone. The Midlands Engine Investment Fund remains dedicated to helping businesses thrive by providing the right finance at the right time, something we’ll be continuing to do with the imminent launch of MEIF II later this month.”
Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager, British Business Bank
The current MEIF investment phase has now completed with the British Business Bank launching the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II on February 29th. 2024.
