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River Capital supports growth of established Blackpool kennels business

Press release 20 February 2025

River Capital has provided a £50,000 loan to Cozy Kennels & Cattery Limited (Cozy Kennels) through NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by River Capital & GC Business Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

Portrait of the team from Cozy Kennels outside their building in Blackpool

Operating from its Blackpool site for 17 years, Cozy Kennels provides comprehensive pet care services including overnight boarding, day care, grooming services, and specialised pet nutrition through its "Reid's Kitchen" brand. The facility is licensed to care for up to 57 dogs and 11 cats at one time.

The NPIF II funding package will enable significant site improvements across the facility with plans including modernisation of reception areas and staff facilities, enhancement of outdoor spaces, security features, and upgrades to kennel facilities with improved ventilation systems.

The investment will also support the installation of new grooming equipment and sustainable LED lighting throughout the site.

The business currently employs ten staff members with the investment supporting plans to create an additional full-time role, positioning the business well for future growth.

Sarah Reid, who manages the facility, commented:

This investment will allow us to continue providing the highest standard of care for our pets while expanding our services. We're particularly excited about enhancing our facilities to better serve our loyal customer base.

Jonathan Nelson, Investment Manager at River Capital, said:

Cozy Kennels has demonstrated strong resilience and innovation, particularly in diversifying their revenue streams. This funding will support their growth plans while helping safeguard existing jobs and create new employment opportunities in the region.

Sue Barnard, Senior Manager at the British Business Bank, said: 

A key aim of NPIF II is to support businesses in underserved regions, unlocking potential and driving economic growth in the North of England, so it’s great to see businesses like Cozy Kennels receiving funding.

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II covers the entire North and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for Northern smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

Further Information

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Notes to editors

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

  • Operated by the British Business Bank, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) provides a mix of debt and equity funding.  NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the South West’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development. 
  • The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, South Teesside, Darlington, Durham, Northumberland, Tyneside, Sunderland.     
  • Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

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