Business spotlight: Orsino Bistro

Orsino Bistro is a small, family run bistro, in Brigstock offering a relaxed and welcoming environment, friendly service with a smile, and a food menu based on classic recipes. They pride themselves on using fresh ingredients from local food suppliers. Orsino Bistro was awarded a £2,000 Build Your Business grant, funded by North Northamptonshire Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which they used to enhance their drinks offer, by purchasing a coffee machine and bean grinder.

A picture of Paul Spencer stood in Orsino Bistro

Paul Spencer, owner of Orsino Bistro, says the three foundations of his business are great food, great service and great environment. They provide great food by offering traditional homemade dishes, some with a modern twist. The menu is mainly based on, but not exclusively, British, French and Catalan cuisine with a focus on using local produce from independent suppliers. The bistro provides great service from a small team of great personalities who serve their guests with a smile and are knowledgeable about the food and drinks menu. The bistro is housed in an old building renovated to a modern style and is a great environment that people will want to come back to. The outside courtyard area offers al fresco dining and entertainment.

How BIPC Northamptonshire helped

"The BIPC initiative helped immensely through free webinars, and 121 meetings with business experts, including how to write a business plan and marketing strategies amongst other great advice."

Best advice received

Paul said there were two bits of advice that BIPC Northamptonshire gave which have stuck with him:

“The first was that starting up your own business seems like a lonely place, and I felt lonely. There was so much to think about, and every question raised another question…it seemed endless and the light at the end of the tunnel became dimmer. The support from BIPC helped so much with this.

Secondly was set a marketing budget. I thought Facebook and printing a few leaflets would do the job. How wrong I was. I didn’t put aside a sufficient budget aside for marketing and because of that, I am still on catch up. I underestimated the importance of marketing and is now my focus.”