A familiar face at events across Bridlington and beyond is proving that a good idea, hard work and the right support can be a recipe for business success.
Lloyd Brodie, founder of Ey Up Coffee, has seen his business go from strength to strength after receiving support from East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s business support services team.
Lloyd, who operates from the old Lifeboat Station on South Marine Drive, has become a familiar figure at events throughout Bridlington and further afield, serving coffee and refreshments to residents and visitors.
With practical guidance on licensing and financial assistance towards equipment, Lloyd has been able to develop the business, with turnover and profit doubling during its second year.
The growth has also resulted in the creation of three new jobs, with further expansion planned.
His success story features in new figures released by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, highlighting the impact of its business support services over the past four years.
Between April 2022 and March 2026, the service helped create 216 full-time equivalent jobs, supported the creation of 94 new businesses and helped local companies secure more than £86 million in contracts.
The team engaged with 2,731 individual businesses and prospective entrepreneurs, awarding more than £2.2 million in grants to 277 local businesses. This helped unlock £5.3 million in business investment.
Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said the figures demonstrated the difference that providing the right support at the right time could make.
She said: “Behind every successful business is someone who has taken a risk, invested their time and worked incredibly hard to make their ambitions a reality.
“These figures demonstrate the real difference that providing the right support at the right time can make, not just to individual businesses, but to our towns, villages and communities across the East Riding.”
The council’s business support team offers advice on business planning, finance, marketing, recruitment, skills development, innovation and accessing new markets.
Businesses looking to start up, develop or expand can find out more about the support available by visiting eryc.link/businessimpact.
The council’s figures cover April 2022 to March 2026, with outcomes monitored up to September 2026. It is worth noting that the £86.3 million in contracts represents the value reported by supported businesses and is not wholly attributable to the programme.
