Race against time to kickstart restaurant dream
A FOOD-LOVING family is facing a race against time to raise the money to help ensure the success of their new restaurant venture.
Rick and Amy Armstrong, 40 and 32, plan to open the Copper Room, on Chestergate, Macclesfield town centre, later this month or early in June.
And they are running an online Kickstarter campaign to raise £40,000 to invest in the restaurant, which will have a European menu with the focus on steak, seafood and pasta.
The deadline to reach this target is Sunday, May 16, and the nature of Kickstarter means if it is not hit the couple, who have a son, two, end up with nothing.
With around a week to go the total stood at a little over £20,000 so Rick and Amy, of Maple Avenue, are hoping for a last minute surge. Kickstarter works by people pledging donations in return for rewards – such as apron or postcard for smaller amounts.
But for a donation of £100 the same amount of credit will be given to spend at the restaurant when it opens and it is hoped that this – essentially paying for a meal in advance – will be the major attraction.
If successful the money will be used for hiring of staff, installing tills and a booking system and the conversion of the ground floor to a cocktail bar.
It would also allow Rick, who currently sells booking software to restaurants for a living, and Amy to both commit full time to the venture.
Rick, who is also a trained chef, said: “Macclesfield is undergoing an exciting regeneration with some amazing places to eat and many great young chefs emerging.
“We love our hometown and want to be a part of this regeneration. Somewhere for us and the town to be proud of and with lockdown restrictions soon to be lifted, now is the perfect time to open.
“We have found the ideal location, worked on a detailed business plan and are now ready to put all our hard work and planning into action but we need your help.”
Anyone wishing to donate can visit www. kickstarter.com/projects/ amyarmstrong/thecopper-room.