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Derbyshire entrepreneur and bespoke guitar craftsman builds on his success after receiving £10,000 Start-Up loan 

Derbyshire entrepreneur and bespoke guitar craftsman builds on his success after receiving £10,000 Start-Up loan 

Derbyshire entrepreneur Mark Hilditch has secured a £10,000 Start-Up Loan from First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans through the British Business Bank and is now able to turn his passion for creating handmade guitars into a business.  

Hilditch Guitars was set up by owner Mark Hilditch who creates one-off handmade and bespoke made to order guitars. 

The start-up loan will help Mark step back from his current job and focus on growing his own business. He also plans to invest further in equipment and materials, to build a solid inventory of stock, which he can then advertise for sale on his website. 

Mark initially invested £7,000 into equipment and machinery, which allowed him to create bespoke furniture to house guitars, offer complete service work, modifications, and repair of existing instruments.  

Mark has had a love for guitars since the age of 10 and a strong passion for constructing things from various materials in his spare time. As he grew older so did his passion for woodwork, and he was able to build his first guitar at the age of 16 as a school project. He now continues to build his dream whilst balancing family life and is looking to expand his product line following increased demand on social media. 

Mark Hilditch, Founder of Hilditch Guitars, commented:  

‘With the Start-Up Loan from First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans, I am now able to invest in the necessary steps needed to grow. The funding will allow me to step back from my full-time job to build up an inventory of stock which will bring up the business turnover. The process was remarkably simple, Nabeel worked very diligently to help me secure the funding and the entire process was complete in two weeks.’  

Nabeel Akhter, Business Adviser at First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans, commented:  

‘It was an absolute joy to work with Mark whose creative skillset shows in his amazing work. First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans are proud to support this unique venture and we are confident the business will continue to grow and succeed.’ 

Richard Bearman, Managing Director Small Business Lending, British Business Bank said:

‘Seeing that this funding will help Mark take Hilditch Guitars to the next level is fantastic news. To be able to take something that is a hobby and a passion and make it a success is incredibly admirable. The British Business Bank is proud to be supporting small businesses like Mark’s and we hope the funding helps to drive Hilditch Guitars forward and go on to further success.’


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