A hospitality group with two thriving North West businesses has secured a six-figure funding package that will also help support its latest venture on the edge of the Peak District.
The Hospitality Collective has secured a £275,000 investment package through River Capital from the North West Business Growth Loan fund to support its expansion, including at the recently opened Glossop Market Hall in Derbyshire.
The collective, led by directors Richard Walker and Matthew Mooney, now includes three businesses – all of which have received support through River Capital. The investment could create up to 50 jobs across the three businesses, which currently employ 25.
º£½ÇÊÓƵ wedding barn Larkspur Lodge, in Knutsford's 'golden triangle', now hosts more than 100 weddings a year. The business will use the funding to enhance outdoor areas with new seating and catering facilities, allowing it to host up to 150 events a year.
Event and wedding catering specialist Fork and Field Catering launched in 2020 and has since catered for brands including Rolex, Adidas, Aston Martin, and The Hut Group at venues including Manchester Cathedral and Knowsley Hall.
Fork and Field has this year served more than 300 events across 12 venues. It has also set up a partnership with Bruntwood to run an events and conference centre in Alderley Park.
The company will now expand its production kitchen and buy equipment to handle larger contracts.
The Hospitality Collective’s latest venture is MHV Glossop, which opened last month in Glossop’s market hall following a regeneration backed by High Peak Borough Council. The venue includes 18 retail units, seven independent food concessions, a 150-capacity wedding and events space, and a 200-seat outdoor bar area. Following a government assisted-funded regeneration by High Peak Borough Council, the venue opened in November 2025 with 90% pre-launch occupancy.
The funding has backed MHV Glossop’s launch phase, supporting investment in recruitment, training, and fixtures and fittings.
Jim Moore, investment manager at River Capital, said: "We're delighted to support The Hospitality Collective's impressive growth trajectory. Richard, Matthew, and their team have demonstrated exceptional resilience and entrepreneurship in building three complementary businesses that serve the thriving North West hospitality sector. Their track record with Larkspur Lodge and Fork and Field gives us confidence in their ability to make the Glossop Market Hall venture a success."
Richard Walker, director of The Hospitality Collective, said: "River Capital's support has been invaluable. We knew they understood our business and sector and this investment enables us to enhance our existing venues whilst launching an exciting venture in Glossop that will regenerate the town centre and create significant employment opportunities. The market hall brings together exceptional independent operators, creating a destination that will draw visitors from across Manchester, Cheshire, Sheffield, and Liverpool."
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