BUSINESS is going from strength to strength at Holmescales Activity Centre, near Kendal, reports Justin Hawkins.

Matt Robinson started the venture around two years ago on the 400-acre farm at Gatebeck as a way of diversifying the family dairy business. Since then, many big names in business, including BAe Systems, Barclays, Chrysler and Halifax, have sent staff to Holmescales to sharpen up their business acumen, build team skills or just to have a good time.

The team at Holmescales caters for all kinds of corporate needs and, where necessary, works with local specialists to draw up activity programmes and specific challenges to target certain skills such as team-building.

Mr Robinson, whose family has been at Holmescales Farm for 100 years this year, said the team at Holmescales tried to keep a "family feel" to the operation and the real home cooking and informal atmosphere had been key to building up repeat business with prestigious clients. He said he was proud to use local services and products wherever possible and local expertise to run activities.

One of the attractions for companies and groups is the range of activities available. They include everything from clay pigeon shooting, paintball games, four-wheel driving, quad-bike riding to digger driving, falconry and archery.

One recent addition has been corporate tree climbing, where expert climbers will rig the tree with ropes so visitors can scale the tree as a challenge in complete safety. Tree climbing is a relative newcomer in the world of corporate activity events but, as Holmescales operations manager Steve Head explained, it does not do to stand still in this business and there is always pressure to come up with something new and different to attract clients.

Holmescales is on the verge of opening a newly-converted barn with state-of-the-art conference and office facilities to allow corporate clients to mix business with pleasure.

The corporate market may be the most lucrative, but Holmescales still caters for smaller groups, such as stag parties, who just want to enjoy the activities available.

"We have worked with groups of all sizes from 100 to just a couple of people," said Mr Robinson.