TGt Meets... Simon Maddison, The Cricklade Club

In our latest TGt Meets, we've been talking to Simon Maddison, Owner of The Cricklade Club, all about his business and its recent award win...

Congratulations on The Cricklade Club winning Start-Up of the Year at the SW Business Award, describe your business in 3 words...

We care about food… is that 4. Fresh, creative, community.

What does winning this award mean for you and your company?

It’s a huge boost for team morale, the first few months and years in any business is tough, this helps us realise we are on the right track.

Business is clearly booming, why do you think so many people visit The Cricklade Club?

You can’t nail The Club as a style or image, it’s unique and the food is totally awesome, staff are passionate, it has a great buzz. It’s an eclectic mix of style and art wrapped in a families obsession for food and drink.

What’s your favourite dish on the menu at The Cricklade Club?

OMG that’s so tough, there’s so much to choose from and the daily specials are just incredible and change so much. Our cooks have so much freedom to experiment, but when I simply can’t choose I am partial to the Eggs Balmoral.

What attracted you to set your business up in Cricklade?

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way, we bought the club for office space for our event company Planet Pursuits and the venue hall for small events. We just thought it would be a nice little café, we were all just involved and excited about the design and the food we could offer and here we are 18 months on, smashing it.

How do you like to spend your time off?

Ha that’s a great one, eating a quirky places and exploring antique markets and charity shops. My best day is spent drinking a mug of tea and at antiques auction, excited by what I might buy, with no idea where I will put things.

What have been your key challenges and how have you overcome them?

Without doubt building a new team full of young creative people. Creative people are fantastic and talented, but they are not often team players, so building a team and making them appreciate the whole picture, the business dynamics and the interdependency of a team has been key. But luckily, I own an event company that has a whole list of team building solutions.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Staying married for 25 years and 5 kids, surely that’s enough! But seriously, in business, winning Event Provider of the Year 2014, 2015, 2016 (M&IT Awards) for Planet Pursuits and winning this Start Up of the Year award, but privately watching my daughter and nieces thrive in a business environment. https://www.mitawards.co.uk/, Insta @mitmagazine

What are your plans for the future?

That’s a secret but we have more plans for venues in food and drink, watch this space!