From romantic gift to international business with £75k NPIF II support
Bolton-based gifting business, A Year of Dates, has secured a £75k loan from NPIF II – GC Business Finance & River Capital Smaller Loans, which is managed by the consortium as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
Founded in 2016 by Kate Greenhalgh, A Year of Dates creates unique, experience-based gifts. Each product is designed to help people create meaningful memories, whether through simple days in or adventurous nights out.
The idea for A Year of Dates originated as a Christmas gift from Kate’s husband John, who made a jar filled with 52 date ideas. This aimed to help them make time for each other despite their busy lives. Each week, they would open an envelope and plan a date based on the contents.
Kate shared the idea with friends who showed interest and realised that this was a potential business opportunity. Nearly two years later, while on maternity leave, she took the leap and launched A Year of Dates.
Since then, the business has expanded its product offering significantly with location-specific editions, birthday-themed products and other experience-based gifts. It has now sold over 100k products worldwide, with more than 50 products available on its website and other online retailers including Etsy and Amazon.
Kate now runs the business with her husband, and the business is also contributing to local job creation, expanding to a team of seven, with its headquarters rooted in Bolton.
However, as a seasonal business, Kate often faced stock shortages during peak seasons like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. She was initially concerned about navigating this issue due to operating in an uncertain economic environment but to help manage the restocking and cash flow issues of running a seasonal business, along with investing in additional stock Kate secured the £75k investment from GC Business Finance.
This will support the consistent growth of A Year of Dates throughout the year and help her meet increased demand. With the funding, Kate also has plans to scale its product range and expand to the US and Australia.
Kate Greenhalgh, founder of A Year of Dates, said: “A Year of Dates has come so far over the past few years, and we’re eager to continue growing both in the UK and internationally. Expanding the business was always a goal, but I was concerned about the current economic state and cost-of-living crisis. However, the support I have received from GC Business Finance’s NPIF II team has been incredible – they have really guided me through the process. I would encourage other businesses looking to grow to explore the help available to them.”
Andy Nichols, investment manager at GC Business Finance, said: “Kate has built an incredible business that enables people to create lasting memories with their loved ones. Through NPIF II we’re driving economic growth and supporting innovation across the North of England, and the GCBF team is proud to have played a role in helping A Year of Dates expand. Supporting female founders like Kate is crucial to fostering a more diverse business ecosystem in the North, and we are excited to see her business continue to thrive on an international scale.”
Sue Barnard, senior manager at the British Business Bank, said: “The purpose of the Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth, and it’s great to see a Bolton-based business using NPIF II to create an impact across the region. This funding is supporting strategic growth across the North West and beyond, enabling job creation and fuelling international growth. It is brilliant to see NPIF II providing the firepower behind such growth and bringing northern businesses to the forefront on an international stage.”