How do you transform 15 acres of land into a fascinating site for the display and restoration of dozens of historic military vehicles?

First you get some business guidance. The team behind Cowes' Isle of Wight Military History Museum, due to open this June, approached Business Link Wessex, the independent source of business advice, to help realise their ambitious venture of creating a museum dedicated to military vehicles.

With the help of tourism and hospitality business adviser Steve Baker and Business Link Wessex financial adviser Robin Edwards, the museum team successfully applied for an enterprise grant, helping turn their initial ideas into a business reality. The funding has enabled the museum to expand its workforce from six to nine. New recruits will be working in the new on-site cafe and restoration workshop.

Financial director for the Isle of Wight Military Museum Jon Hinchliffe explained: "The venture has come a long way since its conception in 1994 when we had just one restored tank and a kernel of an idea. The continuing support from Business Link Wessex has made embarking on the project less daunting and the enterprise grant has enabled the construction of over 30,000 square feet of buildings, including a restoration workshop, to house our growing collection of armoured vehicles. We were so impressed with the guidance we received from Business Link Wessex that we are considering employing their services again once the museum is open - this time to help us market the attraction to the public."

Business Link Wessex business adviser Steve Baker said: "The enterprise grant represents part of our continuing relationship with the Isle of Wight Military History Museum over the past ten years. In order to turn their initial ideas into a business it was necessary to help the team devise a full business plan and a three-year financial forecast for the museum. This involved creating a breakdown of expenditure and clearly laying out the business benefits in advance.

Following the official opening of the Isle of Wight Military History Museum, members of the public will be able to view the growing collection of restored vehicles, experience tank driving demonstrations and view the progress of restorations undertaken in the museum workshop.