Little Padron: Chester catering duo cook up a new venture with Start Up Loan backing

Background

Little Padron was founded by Chester-based duo Connor Drew and Amy Freeman, who met while working in production catering. With 20 years of combined hospitality experience, the pair shared a vision to build a business that worked for both their careers and their lives.

Connor had spent more than a decade working as a chef including as a sous chef at Delia Smith’s restaurant at Norwich City Football Club but felt it was time to take ownership of his future.

“I’d spent years working for other people and wanted to build something of my own,” he explained. “Amy already had experience running independent catering, and we knew we worked well together, so it just made sense to give it a shot.”

The Challenge

Little Padron had an established catering offer but the founders wanted to expand into mobile street food, operating from a converted horse box trailer. To make this possible, they needed upfront investment to:

• Purchase and refurbish the trailer

• Secure a preparation unit near Malpas

• Invest in equipment for private catering

• Cover market pitch fees and early operating costs

Without access to traditional finance, the pair needed a route that would allow them to launch quickly and sustainably.

The Solution

In December 2024, Connor and Amy each secured £10,000 through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, delivered by GC Business Finance.

The funding enabled them to:

• Purchase and refurbish their food trailer

• Secure a dedicated prep unit outside Chester

• Invest in essential catering equipment

• Cover pitch fees and initial operating costs

Connor said the loan was instrumental in turning their plans into reality: “Without the loan, we really wouldn’t have been able to do a lot… it allowed us to actually get started rather than just talk about it.”

Connor and Amy now plan to grow the Little Padron brand, expand their team, and move towards an agency‑led model supporting events at scale.

“As long as you believe in your vision, the support is there to help you take that first step. It’s not easy, but having access to funding makes the journey possible.”

Beyond finance, Connor also benefited from mentorship, gaining insight from experienced business professionals.

The Process

With funding in place, the pair launched Little Padron’s street food arm and began trading at local markets in March 2025. They focused on building a presence across the North West, attending: Festivals, Markets, Private events, Weddings across the North West. For larger bookings, they now work with a small network of additional staff.

The Results

In its first full year of trading, Little Padron generated £38,000 in turnover a significant milestone for a business built from the ground up by two founders managing operations themselves.

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. The seasonal nature of the industry was a steep learning curve:

“The winter was tough… there are lots of hidden costs you don’t anticipate. But going through that together has helped us learn quickly and prepare better for the future.”

What This Case Study Shows

Little Padron’s journey highlights how industry experience, determination and the right financial support can help founders turn a long‑held ambition into a thriving independent business. With Start Up Loan funding and mentoring, Connor and Amy have built a flexible, scalable catering venture that now serves customers across the North West and they’re only just getting started.

Alex Mearns, Head of Start Up Lending at GC Business Finance, said:

“Starting up a business can be an empowering, but daunting move for any founder. Connor and Amy have taken this in their stride, using their industry experience to build Little Padron and serve a growing customer base in Chester. We’re always proud to see how our support through Start Up Loans can support these businesses, giving them the backing and confidence they need to start and grow.”

Delyth Lloyd Edwards, Senior Manager, North West England, British Business Bank, added:

“Connor and Amy’s journey shows how Start Up Loans can give entrepreneurs the confidence and practical support needed to turn experience into a viable business.

“By helping founders take that first step - whether that is investing in equipment, securing premises or launching new services - the programme plays an important role in enabling small businesses to grow and contribute to their local communities.”