The owners of a Suffolk wedding and corporate events venue were the guest speakers at enterprise agency Menta’s latest Coffee Means Business networking event in Bury St Edmunds.

Ian and Diane Evans of Copdock Hall, near Ipswich, told the audience of more than 40 other business owners about their near-three-year project to renovate a Tudor barn, which involved 18 months of planning issues and 16 months of actual building work.

Mr Evans said that keeping hold of budgets had been a crucial discipline throughout the project, along with liaising with the 20 or so different contractors involved.

He added: “It’s quite therapeutic to talk about the whole project again, to revisit the stresses, strains and challenges of redeveloping such a lovely building and then building a business.”

Teresa Parker, who hosts the Bury networking events, said: “My warmest thanks to Diane and Ian Evans whose inspiring story just shows what is possible with vision and tenacity. Menta has held conferences at Copdock Hall; the location and the stunning building can’t fail to make an impact.”

Menta’s Coffee Means Business networking sessions in Bury are held at Bury Town FC and are sponsored by Ensors. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, March 8, from 9.30am until 11.30am, with the fee of £5 payable on arrival. For more details go to www.menta.org.uk.

Copdock Hall is holding a Corporate Open Morning to showcase sample layouts, is AV provision and other facilities on Wednesday, March 7. To book to attend call 01473 730906.