The Last Word Patrons Paul Shanahan

General

Manager, Holland

Holland & Holland Ltd

What

do you do?

Holland & Holland Shooting Ground is set in 130 acres of undisturbed countryside. The fundamental pillar of the shooting ground is tuition; this is how we started, by supporting those looking to take up a new hobby to those wanting to hone their craft. If you have never shot before, our expert team of instructors will ensure that you’ll be giving your best by the end of the day.

Everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting through the Chamber has been incredibly welcoming and we have benefitted from the diversity of the businesses involved.

& Holland Shooting Ground

Our business is diverse, we’ve undergone extensive refurbishment throughout the years and have the ability to host events, conferences and parties, from small intimate groups to company away days, charity events, competitions and conferences. My role is guardian of this institution, maintaining the excellent standards expected from one of Britain’s most historic gun makers and working closely with my team to provide the ultimate experience for all our guests.

Who

do you work for?

We were founded in 1835 by Harris Holland and in more recent years were acquired by fashion icon Chanel, who owned the business until 2021. We are now owned by the Beretta Family who visit the grounds regularly, hosting their own parties and shooting days with us. The family continues to invest strongly in Holland & Holland and supports us as we evolve.

Why did you join the Chamber?

I want local business owners and operators to get to know us at Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds so we can connect and support each other. I’ve greatly enjoyed the Chamber events, networking with the members and engaging with them.

How has it helped your business network?

We’ve connected with local specialists and through them sourced goods or services we would have had to look further afield for. Being part of the local community is very important to us at Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds; the Chamber has enabled us to play a more active role.

What advice would you give someone starting out?

Engage in the events the Chamber offers and make your membership work for you. Everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting through the Chamber has been incredibly welcoming and we have benefitted from the diversity of the businesses involved. The Chamber is very supportive of our business.

What do you think is the biggest challenge affecting running and growing a business?

This is a difficult operating period; all businesses are suffering from growing costs and uncertainty moving forward. Money is tight and that leads to understandable caution with spending. Our strategy is to diversify income streams to help navigate peaks and troughs of the year, so we are not reliant on one area. The Chamber has helped us to achieve this.

What support do you want from Government?

Stability and continuity. Over the last few years this has been desperately lacking.

How confident are you your business will grow in the next year?

We are seeing year on year growth. Broadening our market segments and routes to market has helped us achieve this. Being an outdoor sporting venue, weather and daylight hours are vital to our operation, so there is a lot out of our control. The addition of our function areas has given us more capability to diversify what we do and what we can offer to our guests.