Grow South Antrim

Tardree Stone

• Awardee: David & Andrew McConkey
• Location: Potterswalls Lane
• Council: Antrim
• Grant: £50,000

David and his brother Andrew set up Tardree Stone (just outside Antrim) 3 years ago, manufacturing natural stone products including kitchen worktops, fireplaces and floor tiles.  They received £50,000 to purchase a stone saw to cut local natural stone in order to move into the cutting, tiling and architectural markets.

Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew, with David McConkey, Tardree Stone

• How did you hear about the Programme?

We heard about the Programme from an event held in the Antrim Civic Centre. To be honest if we had missed it there, we also saw it in a newspaper article, on the website, and we were told about it by quite a few people. We have a long term strategy in the business and we know where and what we want to do moving forward. It was quick to check if we met the criteria required and were eligible for funding.

• How did you find the application process (paperwork included)?

The application was really quite straight forward and nowhere near as difficult as I had expected. I found the whole process easy to understand with no complicated jargon. It was set out in an easy-to-follow way. The GROW South Antrim staff were very helpful with any queries we had about the process and their friendly and professional approach was to be noted.

• How did you find the claim process?

The claim process is something in which care must be taken to follow what is required. We went through this carefully noting the main points to make sure to do everything right. This was not difficult but just required a little bit of concentration through getting quotes, purchasing and claiming. Again the staff at GROW South Antrim were great at answering questions and they were always willing to help.

• How do you feel the business has benefitted from funding?

Since we have received the funding it has helped us to expand our product range to include architectural stone such as quoins, sills and tiles and cut down on turn around times in the manufacture of marble and granite worktops. We had the plans to do what we've done but the funding has really helped us drive forward.

• What advice would you give other applicants?

I would certainly encourage anyone who is thinking of applying to give it a go. I know it might seem daunting at times but if you have a clear picture of what you want to do and a passion to get there the funding is a great help financially to make it happen.

• Would you reapply again in future?

I would hope that we will reapply again in the future and help the business to grow further and stronger and build upon what we are doing currently.

• Would you do anything differently?

Everything always takes longer than you think it will. So plan early and lay the groundwork by researching things as soon as possible i.e. now!

• Address: 18 Potterswalls Lane Antrim BT41 2QQ
• Phone: 028 9446 1900
• Email: info@tardreestone.com
• Website: www.tardreestone.com