"You've been a lifeline for our business" - the power of PR in helping keep a Shropshire business afloat

“You’ve been a real lifeline. Without your support I’m not sure we’d still be here today.”

Those are the words of Chris Burtonwood, who along with his family runs the fantastic Lockside Café at Grindley Brook just outside Whitchurch.

He was thanking me for the pro bono PR support I’ve been giving them since Christmas when the collapse of the Llangol

len Canal just a mile from their door wiped out 75 per cent of their trade overnight.

Now, I think Chris is being too generous in his thanks.

The real lifeline has been the sheer graft, resilience and imagination shown by Chris, his mum Jane Beaumont, his sister Rachel Burtonwood and the whole team. They’ve refused to give in, even when the odds were stacked against them.

But it has been wonderful to know my work has helped. Hearing from Jane how customers have travelled from Glasgow, Somerset, Yorkshire and all points in between after reading their story shows the power of getting your message out there.

One man even sent a donation from America after news of the café’s battle reached the other side of the pond.

It’s a tremendous example of what good, honest and strategic PR can do – and why it should be an absolute must for any business which wants to prosper. Done well (cough, cough) it mobilises people and creates a sense of connection.

And it gives businesses such as Lockside a fighting chance when circumstances pull the rug from under them.

Lockside still needs that support. The canal remains closed, cutting off the passing summer canal traffic which is its lifeblood.

But the team has put together a fantastic series of events through the summer to bring in new customers and, with continued PR support, are doing everything possible to raise its profile.

So, if you are in the area do pop in and have a coffee and a slice of the most divine cheesecake you’ll ever eat.

And if your own business could use a lifeline – or even just a clearer voice – drop me a message. I’m always happy to chat.