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| Region/Nation | East of England - Chelmsford, Essex |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Village Cricket Co. |
| Owners | Freddie Chatt and George Simmons |
| Partner | Virgin StartUp |
| Social Media |
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| Website | villagecricket.co |
A search engine optimisation (SEO) consultant turned entrepreneur who launched an affordable cricket equipment company during one of the 2020 lockdowns has been named the 2026 Start Up Loans Ambassador for East of England, after selling out of stock every year since launching.
Freddie Chatt, founder of Village Cricket Co. is one of 14 entrepreneurs recognised through this year’s Ambassadors programme. Running for over a decade, the programme recognises the top entrepreneurial talent from all 12 Nations and regions across the UK, alongside specialist Ambassadors representing Gen Z and the Armed Forces community.
Founded after taking out a Start Up Loan, Freddie launched Village Cricket Co. with fellow grassroots cricket player George Simmons. Its range includes bats, pads, bags, and accessories, with a focus on quality products at accessible prices for recreational and club cricketers.
As the business grew, they secured a second Start Up Loan in 2024 to keep up with demand, using the funding to increase stock and help with cash flow to expand the business.
Since launching, Freddie has built a loyal customer base and grown Village Cricket Co. into a recognised name among grassroots cricketers. The business has developed strong supplier relationships in India, earning an invitation to an Indian government-backed sporting goods trade fair. Its growing online presence and popular brand ambassador programme have helped introduce the brand to players across the UK.
Both founders have built the company alongside other jobs, with Freddie working as an SEO consultant and George in recruitment. Freddie now hopes to turn the seasonal side hustle into his full-time career, having used his previous in-house SEO experience to drive the brand’s online growth.
£20,000
Virgin Start Up
Support for new and early stage businesses
My advice to anyone thinking about starting a business is to just get started. You won't have all the answers from day one, but you'll learn as you go. If you're passionate about what you're building and stay focused on your customers, those small steps can quickly turn into something much bigger.
On starting his business Freddie added: “The lightbulb moment before Village Cricket Co. was when my own cricket bat broke and I realised how expensive equipment can be for grassroots players. George and I had a shared passion for the game and wanted to make it more accessible without compromising on quality. The Start Up Loans we secured have been instrumental in our success and I’m so pleased we took the steps into business ownership.
- Freddie Chatt Founder of Village Cricket Co
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