Derbyshire community hall secures £25,000 in funding to boost rebuild
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 1 April 2026
UPDATED: 2 April 2026
Matt’s Attic, a street food hall and community space based in Derbyshire, has secured £25,000 in funding with support from First Enterprise under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. The funding has been used to renovate the local market hall.
The food hall hosts independent street food vendors, a creative café-bar, and a rotating calendar of events from live music and art exhibitions to themed banquets. It has created a community space in the heart of the town, New Mills, bringing locals together and celebrating the town’s heritage.
Co-Founders Matt and Beth Eadie, Nick Torkington and Gary Mills have been very close friends since childhood. When learning of the market hall’s vacancy, the idea to revive the place, which they all spent time in as teens, came to light.
The four entrepreneurs each bring valuable skills to the business, including hospitality management and catering experience, plus practical skills like joinery and electrical engineering to help with the renovation.
The Start Up Loans funding was used to make the market hall a safe, functional, and welcoming space, with major improvements to electrics, plumbing, and bar infrastructure. It has also helped the team to upgrade the building to modern standards while preserving its unique character.
The food hall opened its doors on 18th December 2025 and has already been a huge success so far.
Beth Eadie, Co-Founder of Matt’s Attic, comments:
“Renovating a historic building comes with a lot of surprises and challenges, balancing costs while preserving the building’s heritage has been tough. This loan was essential in keeping the momentum going and avoiding delays. It helped us create a top-tier venue that meets safety standards and exceeded customer expectations from day one.
“Our experience with First Enterprise has been incredible. They understood our vision from the start. They didn’t just see a risky renovation; they saw the potential of a business that could breathe new life into a town centre.”
Lottie Naylor, Investment Manager at First Enterprise, comments:
“Matt’s Attic and the team behind it are truly an inspiration, bringing their community closer together by creating a space that is welcoming and lively. I could see the wonderful impact this market hall will have from day one, and it was a great pleasure working with the team through the loan application process. I wish them all the best of luck along their journey!”
