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The business
Name: Katie Hanger - Lola Charters
Location: Wroxham
Sector: Tourism
Turnover: £60,000
Staff: 5
Website:
www.lolacharters.co.uk
Location: Wroxham
Sector: Tourism
Turnover: £60,000
Staff: 5
Website:
www.lolacharters.co.uk
Katie Hanger - Lola Charters
When Katie Hanger set up Lola Charters in August 2008 it was with a mission to share her passion for life on Norfolk’s Broads.
She has since given more than 200 to her guests out on the water on board Lola – including welcoming some new famous faces on board last year, including Frankie Dettori.
Entertainment is a field she knows well. She has a background in events, previously at Broads House Hotel in Wroxham and before that at Sprowston Manor.
Despite spending time travelling and working around the world, including volunteer work in Africa and being a tour rep in Egypt, the Broads have drawn her back to Norfolk.
And business has boomed. Many people, like herself, who has always wanted to run her own business, are attracted back to the Broads to relive childhood memories, she says.
The firm’s niche is that it runs chartered boats – you do not just hire a boat, you hire a crew who run the bar and cater for you. And everything is organised around what customers want.
It has specialised in offering the boat as a venue for special celebrations including birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
One event saw a whole fleet of craft, from the Fairline to the canoes, a self-wdrive boat and sail boat, taken out for a birthday.
But that is just the start. Katie has plans for Lola Charters to launch a clothing line and plans are in place to add a traditional Broads cruiser to the fleet in 2011.
The firm aims to turnover £150,000 in 2011. Katie said: I want to grow the brand in Norfolk and a little further afield.
“I am passionate about the Broads and I have belief and confidence that the service that I offer to my guests really works.”
When Katie Hanger set up Lola Charters in August 2008 it was with a mission to share her passion for life on Norfolk’s Broads.
I have belief and confidence that the service that I offer to my guests really works
She launched the Wroxham-based firm with a
flagship vessel, Lola, a 35ft Fairline Targa and has
since expanded to offer coastal, sailing and rowing
experiences.She has since given more than 200 to her guests out on the water on board Lola – including welcoming some new famous faces on board last year, including Frankie Dettori.
Entertainment is a field she knows well. She has a background in events, previously at Broads House Hotel in Wroxham and before that at Sprowston Manor.
Despite spending time travelling and working around the world, including volunteer work in Africa and being a tour rep in Egypt, the Broads have drawn her back to Norfolk.
And business has boomed. Many people, like herself, who has always wanted to run her own business, are attracted back to the Broads to relive childhood memories, she says.
The firm’s niche is that it runs chartered boats – you do not just hire a boat, you hire a crew who run the bar and cater for you. And everything is organised around what customers want.
It has specialised in offering the boat as a venue for special celebrations including birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
One event saw a whole fleet of craft, from the Fairline to the canoes, a self-wdrive boat and sail boat, taken out for a birthday.
But that is just the start. Katie has plans for Lola Charters to launch a clothing line and plans are in place to add a traditional Broads cruiser to the fleet in 2011.
The firm aims to turnover £150,000 in 2011. Katie said: I want to grow the brand in Norfolk and a little further afield.
“I am passionate about the Broads and I have belief and confidence that the service that I offer to my guests really works.”