Strawberry Cottage Landscapes is celebrating 30 years of transforming outdoor spaces across Cumbria, marking the milestone with a smart investment that is already delivering real benefits to the business.

Founded in 1996, the company has built a strong reputation for high-quality landscaping work throughout the region. As it approaches its 30th anniversary this September, the business is not only reflecting on its success but also looking ahead with a focus on improving efficiency and resilience.

During the pandemic, Strawberry Cottage Landscapes identified a need to reduce reliance on supplier deliveries by collecting materials directly. To test the approach, the business initially purchased an older trailer.

While this proved the concept, it quickly became clear that a more reliable and higher-capacity solution was needed.

With support from grant funding of £2,256, a Rural England Prosperity Fund provided by Cumberland Council and accessed through Cumbria Business Growth Hub, the company invested in a new, larger-capacity trailer from Alan Tuer Trailers.

The new trailer has made an immediate difference. With an additional 700kg carrying capacity, it allows the team to transport larger loads safely and efficiently, reducing the number of trips required. Improved towing performance has also enhanced day-to-day operations, while the addition of cage sides has made transporting pruning waste significantly safer and more practical.

The impact on the business has been clear. The new equipment is saving an estimated two hours per week on average, while fewer journeys have also helped reduce fuel costs - a valuable efficiency gain in day-to-day operations.

Without the grant support, the investment would have been much more difficult to justify and may not have gone ahead. Instead, the business is now benefiting from improved productivity, lower costs, and a more streamlined way of working.

Darren Johnston from Strawberry Cottage Landscapes said: