Cowdray House – Estate evaluation audit and official launch

Assignment

Situated in the heart of West Sussex one of our Senior Consultants was approached to undertake a feasibility study for the use of Cowdray House a heritage property, the former home of Lord and Lady Cowdray. Due to his excessive work-load, he approached GFG to assess if we could support him with this assignment.

As a result we worked together to evaluate how this twenty-two bedroom Elizabethan House built in 1874 could be used for Weddings, private Celebrations, Sponsorship, Corporate and Filming events. Our in-depth analysis also required us to review the broader range of facilities/businesses within the estate, including Cowdray Polo Club, Golf Club and Capron House.

During this year-long assignment, we investigated and reviewed the following:-

• Undertook qualitative market research on Cowdray House immediate competitors as well as invited a number of leading London Caterers and Party Planners to include within their events portfolio.
• Investigated opportunities on how the House could benefit from the Sussex ‘calendar of events’ held during the ‘summer’ season.
• In conclusion, the CEO then commissioned our services to implement the business plan and officially launch the property in 2015.

Output

• Officially launched Cowdray House, by organising a series of events both in London and West Sussex.
• This included GFG’s known agency contacts, involving the automotive and corporate sector, due to the venues close proximity to Goodwood Estate.
• Appointed a number of preferred suppliers and a PR agency, resulting in extensive media exposure.
• After six months of active marketing, recruited a full-time GM, Business Development Manager and Sales assistant to move the project forward.
• Within nine months established a strong and sustainable sales pipeline for Cowdray House – Goodwood Estate, premium Wedding market, weekend retreats and film location business being the core sales channels.

Results to date

The business now in its seventh year has grown from strength-to-strength and has widened its scope to include the ‘Walled Gardens’ an additional wedding venue as well as the construction of five treehouses, overlooking the Polo grounds and Cowdray ruins. As a result, the hospitality and events business is now exceeding £1.4 m+ revenue each year.