As a former pub singer and current member of the band The Blue Aeroplanes, Chris Sharp, owner of Aerofleece Ltd, trading as The Fleece in Bristol, took an unconventional route into business after travelling to Texas with Rich, the sound engineer of his band who also happened to be the sound engineer of The Fleece.

“I was sat on a plane next to Rich and he told me how badly the venue was being run. It was losing money and nobody was interested in buying it. So, for a bit of a laugh, I went to the estate agent when I got back and said, ‘I’d like to buy The Fleece.’ They said, ‘Come in, let’s talk,'” Chris recounts.

Nine months later, he bought the venue for £1. “It was losing so much money that they just wanted rid of it,” Chris explains. But turning the venue around required more than just musical knowledge, it required a team of trusted advisers.

The challenge

When Chris took over The Fleece, he quickly realised that running a music venue involved much more than booking gigs and singing.

“I needed specific accountants and unique business advice,” he says.

Initially, Chris was working with Robert Rawle at another firm, but Robert moved on to Milsted Langdon, Chris made the decision to stay with someone he knew and trusted as he would “rather stay with the person he knows”.

With the venue’s complicated cash flow, which fluctuates depending on ticket sales and bar revenue, as well as ongoing investment needs, Chris needed support that went beyond the basics.

How Milsted Langdon helped

Milsted Langdon provided a full range of services, from the day-to-day accounting needs to strategic business advice.

As a partner with deep experience in working with businesses in the creative and media sectors, Robert provided financial guidance that was both technical and strategic, giving Chris the clarity he needed to make key decisions, and Milsted Langdon became a trusted adviser.

“Over the years, Robert has helped me navigate the corporate side of accountancy that I’d never encountered before. He’s guided me through growing my businesses and expanding into new areas.”

The result

Today, The Fleece is not just surviving but thriving, thanks in part to the ongoing support from Milsted Langdon.

Chris has expanded his business portfolio, including his property and kennel ventures, with the financial advice and strategic support needed to ensure these businesses are set up for long-term success.

What sets Milsted Langdon apart for Chris is the personal connection with Robert and the team.

“I’ve been dealing with Robert since 2010 when I first got The Fleece. He’s been there every step of the way, offering invaluable advice and guidance,” Chris says.

“Robert doesn’t just deal with the numbers. He understands the business and what I’m trying to achieve,” says Chris. “That’s what makes the difference.”

As Chris reflects, “Having Robert and the team at Milsted Langdon is like having a partner who understands the creative side of my business as well as the financial side. It gives me the confidence to keep growing.”

“Robert has been guiding me through much more complex corporate accounting than I was used to.

“He’s not just about the numbers. He gets the business and where I want to take it.”

To find out how Milsted Langdon supports businesses just like The Fleece, contact Robert Rawle to find out more about our services.