At Hestkær Family Rooms, run by Birgitte and Christian Cammelbeeck, they are constantly looking for new opportunities that can help develop both the business and the local area. As a result, they have just been awarded NOK 84.900 in LAG funds for a food truck, which will, among other things, make "pimped" hand meals with good local seasonal ingredients for various local events and tourists. It will also be possible for companies and individuals to hire the food truck for a private event. The trolley must also help to compensate for seasonal fluctuations for the employees in Hestkær Family Rooms.
It was not difficult to apply for the funds, and Hestkær Family Rooms had previously been awarded LAG funds in connection with the establishment of a glamping camp, so they knew the process well. "But Janne from LAG and Marianne from Billund Erhverv have been a great help - it's really great that you are helped both before and during the application process." it comes from Christian Cammelbeeck.
Random startup
For Birgitte and Christian Cammelbeeck, it all started by chance.
Christian originally had an electronics business that was getting quite large, so in 2015 he bought Hestkær independent school with a view to using the school as a business and warehouse. It turned out that there were several options at the school, as Christian says: "There were already approvals to establish some rental, so we started with 2-3 rooms and now have 12 large family apartments and a glamping camp. Birgitte is a trained chef and nutritionist and from there came the idea for a food truck. At first we would have sought funds to hold courses in the old school kitchen at Hestkær, but with a food truck, we can be there where it happens in the municipality.
In 2017, Christian Cammelbeeck sold the electronics company and the couple went all-in with their bed and breakfast. Hestkær Family Rooms has a school theme and the whole concept is at children's level. "It has always been intended that it should all be family-friendly, that there should be room for children to play without being afraid of breaking something." There are both playgrounds, a cable car, rabbits and goats, and lots of facilities for playing both outside and inside. "It wasn't until 2019 that we were fully up and running," says Christian, and continues: "But then a pandemic came..."
"We pretty much made it through the crisis, as we have all the activities that we have" comes from Birgitte Cammelbeeck. "So even if the big entertainment venues were closed, you could easily spend a few days here with us without getting bored." Christian continues: "But it's still a bit like starting over now, but luckily it's going well."
In addition to the food truck, which Birgitte and Christian Cammelbeeck also hope will be found at local street food markets, the couple is renovating a former residential building in Grindsted. Here they themselves must have a residence, and then Airbnb apartments must be established in the rest of the building.
If you want to know more about LAG funds and what it takes to be considered for them, you can contact business developer Marianne Hestbech Witte on 44 145 550 and mhw@billunderhverv.dk.
