Ignition backs Brooklands’ acquisition of Toby’s Garden Festival

Ignition, part of the STAR Asset Finance Group, has arranged a £60,000 Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) loan to support Brooklands Events & Marquees Ltd’s acquisition of The Garden Fest Co Ltd, the business behind the popular Toby’s Garden Festival.

The government-backed funding will enable the Exeter-based events specialist to take over management of the annual gardening festival, while also providing working capital to support the integration of the business into its operations.

Held each year over the early May Bank Holiday weekend at Powderham Castle near Exeter, Toby’s Garden Festival was founded 11 years ago by gardening broadcaster Toby Buckland. The event has become a well-established fixture in the South West’s events calendar, attracting visitors with guest speakers, workshops, live entertainment and exhibitors.

Brooklands Events & Marquees has worked alongside the festival since its launch, initially supplying marquees before expanding its role to include grounds management, health and safety, hospitality staffing and parking operations.

Following the acquisition, Brooklands will assume full operational responsibility for the festival, including ticket sales and regional marketing. The previous owners will remain involved alongside Toby Buckland, helping to shape the event’s future by securing speakers and exhibitors.

The finance was arranged by Ignition through the Government’s Growth Guarantee Scheme, which is designed to improve access to funding for smaller businesses looking to invest and grow.

Dave Moore, Managing Director of Brooklands Events & Marquees, said: “We’ve been closely involved with the festival from its very first year, so stepping into a larger role feels like a natural progression for the business. It’s an exciting opportunity to build on something that already has a fantastic reputation while helping it grow for the future.

“The festival also gives us year-round activity, with ticket sales and planning work supporting the business through the quieter winter period. Ignition made the process straightforward and helped us to secure the right structure to move forward with confidence.”

“Brooklands is a great example of a local business evolving through long-term relationships and industry expertise. Having supported the festival operationally for many years, they are ideally placed to take it forward.

“We were pleased to arrange funding through the GGS programme to support the acquisition and help the business strengthen its long-term growth and seasonal resilience.”