Montagues

Montagues is an independent, neighbourhood restaurant and bar located in the heart of South Shore, Blackpool. Our small menu is well considered and changes seasonally. We cook from scratch using locally sourced ingredients and have also developed a small kitchen garden, growing fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit to incorporate in our menu. We have a small team of dedicated staff and go to great lengths to employ local people. With a strong ethos on community we have built links with our local catering college and now employ two part-time student chefs. We pride ourselves on providing a high quality dining and drinking experience for local residents and tourists alike which is a real alternative to the large identikit chains in the area - this is something our customers both support and enjoy. Whilst only 6 months old we recently received a national accolade from Good Food Award and recently visited Parliament after being nominated as regional business champion for the All Party Parliamentary Corporate Responsibility Group award.

Having graduated with first class honours in Microbiology from The University of Edinburgh I returned to the Fylde Coast and began working as a laboratory assistant but wanted to better myself. Whilst on holiday I spotted an opportunity that changed everything – Blackpool Airport was not utilising all its retail space. Upon my return I got in touch with the airport director. A few weeks later I pitched my concept for a catering outlet to rival that of the large chains. Within a year I was awarded the contract and with my very modest life savings invested, my learnings as a company director began. Over the next 2 years I developed a very successful business which was highly complimented by both passengers and airport management. Despite being a very profitable venture the airport was subsequently closed for commercial travel. I had already designs on starting a second venture so the closure accelerated my plans and I bounced back! Within 12 months my next venture, Montagues, began.

I am very passionate about my hometown and this is the reason why I chose to set up a business here. I want to help improve my local community in terms of the people I employ and the product I offer and show other young women that you do not need to move away to a big city to be a success, you simply need drive and determination. I have a track record of overcoming setbacks and believe there is much value to be taken from every experience, be it good or bad. I apply myself with positive enthusiasm and strong work ethic and believe that these qualities are indispensable to achievement and should be encouraged. I have taken calculated risks to become self-employed, actively searching out and seizing new opportunity with confidence. I will always fight passionately to improve myself and my local community. I believe that small independent businesses have a unique role to play in the revival and transformation of our hometown and feel that we should be both supported and celebrated!