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Hospitality and property entrepreneur Joel Cadbury’s latest leisure venture, which is transforming underperforming golf clubs into multi-activity destinations, has received a £10m loan from specialist bank OakNorth.
The financing will support further development of the Mad Swans’ two flagship sites at Farrington Gurney in the Mendips and at Alton on the South Downs.
Each features a redesigned 12-hole golf course alongside padel, pickleball, driving ranges, eco-cabins and destination dining.
The concept aims to reimagine traditional leisure spaces for modern lifestyles, creating venues that blend countryside sport with boutique accommodation and food and drink.
Cadbury, co-founder of Longshot – whose interests have spanned London’s trendy Groucho Club and the capital’s first and only 24-hour restaurant – said: “OakNorth has been a true partner to us for several years – supportive, strategic, and commercially minded at every stage.
“From Bel & The Dragon to Beaverbrook and now Mad Swans, they’ve backed our vision and moved at the pace entrepreneurs need.”
This marks the third time the digital bank has supported Cadbury, having previously backed his ventures Bel & The Dragon and Beaverbrook.
Cadbury founded Longshot in 1994 with business partner Oliver Vigors. The company develops, owns and operates leisure facilities including restaurants, children’s educational entertainment centres, health and fitness clubs and media clubs.
Deepesh Thakrar, managing director of debt finance at OakNorth, said: “Joel and Ollie are serial innovators in the leisure and hospitality space, and world class entrepreneurs.
“Their latest venture in Mad Swans challenges the status quo of golf and wellness, bringing together lifestyle, sport, and hospitality in a way that’s relevant and inspiring.”
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