Business Action | April / May 2020

usiness 

ACTION 

north enterprise 

devon 

growth 

innovation 

news & views 

Hatch your plan 

Survive and thrive 

Who has reached the finals? 

See our Business Awards finalists inside 

#10to1m switch needed now 

Make it a permanent habit to buy local 

North Devon business success 

New businesses, awards wins and more 

business-action.co.uk | April / May 2020 | @businessactionm

CONTENTS 

Web site | business-action.co.uk 

Online version | business-action.uk 

Vol 2 Issue 2 – April / May 2020 – distribution 2,500 

Why we all need your business..................................................................... 1 

Coronavirus: maintaining business health ............................................. 2 

Accessing government support during COVID-19.......................... 2 

Packaging for food and health....................................................................... 3 

Manufacturer switches to scrubs................................................................. 3 

Telecoms specialist supports homeworkers........................................... 4 

From £10 to £1 million #10to1m.................................................................... 4 

Adapting is a sign of the times...................................................................... 5 

Acupuncture practice goes online............................................................... 5 

Helping travellers get home safely.............................................................. 5 

Author opens relocated salon........................................................................ 6 

Packaging manufacturer wins MoD contract.......................................... 6 

Business directory – find products and services................................. 7 

Homeware wholesaler is best in UK for fourth year............................ 8 

Manufacturer wins national innovation award................................. 8 

Top dogs win marketing award......................................................... 9 

North Devon apprentice speaks at Westminster............................. 9 

Holiday park offers warm welcome.................................................. 10 

Moving across UK and Europe......................................................... 10 

What’s the difference between a lawyer, accountant and surveyor?... 11 

Gardening goes digital....................................................................... 12 

Service helps SMEs recruit graduates....................................................... 12 

Going above and beyond................................................................... 13 

Letting go of material possessions.................................................. 13 

£10,000 skills grants for small construction businesses............... 14 

£3,600 funding to help recruit STEM graduates.............................. 15 

Business Action Awards: ................................................................. 16 

Business Action Awards: Meet the judges.............................................. 17 

Business Action Awards: finalists .............................................................. 19 

© Need it Find it 2020. All information in this magazine is published in good faith. 

Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it. 

Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional 

before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full 

terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements. 

Set Your 

Business 

Apart 

The UK’s Largest 

Trading Standards Run 

Business Approval Scheme 

ii 

Backed by more than 50 local authority 

Trading Standards Services nationwide, 

Buy With Confidence supports honest 

and trustworthy businesses, setting your 

company apart from your competitors 

Find out more: www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk 

business action | April / May 2020 | business-action.co.uk

ENTERPRISE 

business 

ACTION 

Why we all need your business 

Just when we thought we 

had got over the crippling 

political uncertainty of 2019, 

Coronavirus has made 2020 the 

most challenging year in most 

people’s memory. 

In terms of business, there 

are two ways of looking at this: 

focus on the damage or on how 

we restart the economy. 

Business Action takes the 

latter approach. 

While the current lockdown 

has closed many businesses 

until it is lifted, our Business 

Awards remind us just how 

enterprising North Devon is. 

Celebrate entrepreneurs 

We have been astounded by the 

response to our first Business 

Action Awards, which attracted 

104 entries. 

What is so heartening and 

inspiring is the energy and 

commitment of all the busi- 

ADVERTISING 

Alan Williams 

Advertising, Distribution & Publisher 

t: 07970 671192 

e: alan@business-action.co.uk 

nesses who entered. Their 

entries reveal the innovation 

and ingenuity of people who 

run businesses in the area. The 

Outstanding New Business 

category attracted 16 entries 

while seven Young Entrepreneurs 

entered. The strong spirit 

of enterprise in North Devon 

EDITORIAL 

Robert Zarywacz 

Editor, Designer & Publisher 

t: 07971 176044 

e: robertz@business-action.co.uk 

@robertz 

will be crucial to rebuilding the 

local economy. 

The judging panel had an 

extremely tough challenge to 

select the finalists and winners, 

and there were robust discussions 

with judges arguing 

with passion as to why certain 

entrants deserved to win. 

While there can only be one 

winner in each category, we 

believe everyone who entered 

is a winner and we thank you 

all for participating. 

Respond and rebuild 

We also realise that however 

good any business is, it needs 

resilience to withstand the 

damage caused by the Coronavirus 

crisis. 

We face very tough challenges 

and all need to support 

local businesses. 

Last year we launched 

our #10to1m campaign to 

persuade people to switch £10 

of spending to local businesses. 

We need this now more than 

ever and must make it permanent 

so that we buy local not 

just on one day but every day. 

We need more than good 

intentions; we need to take 

Business Action. 

CORONAVIRUS 

SUPPORT 

BUSINESS 

NEWS 

BUY LOCAL 

#10TO1M 

The sudden impact of the 

Coronavirus shutdown is like 

nothing current generations 

have experienced. 

The Government has been 

quick to introduce a variety 

of business support schemes, 

which we outline in the magazine, 

although please consult 

the official web sites direct for 

detailed information, as this is 

changing frequently. 

Also listed are the web 

addresses of regional organisations 

publishing details of 

support schemes. 

Please ensure you deal with 

official organisations and only 

accept business advice from 

qualified advisers. 

>>> PAGE 2 

Lockdown has brought lots of 

businesses to a standstill, but 

we need to acknowledge many 

of their impressive achievements 

which they must go on 

to replicate when the economy 

can start moving again. 

North Devon businesses 

have been winning national 

awards for innovation, manufacturing 

and retailing. 

Read how businesses are 

using their ingenuity to adapt 

to changing circumstances, 

which must stand us in good 

stead for inevitable changes in 

the commercial environment in 

the months ahead. 

You can also read details of 

business support programmes. 

Most North Devon businesses 

are small businesses 

and many are inactive in the 

enforced lockdown. Others 

are working flat out to support 

communities by manufacturing 

medical or support goods 

and food and drink. 

It is vital that we do not 

desert smaller, local businesses 

when they start up 

again. Business owners and 

employees are our families 

and friends, and our communities 

will be much poorer for 

the loss of their high quality 

products and services. 

It is vital that we all switch 

to buying locally at the earliest 

possible opportunity. 

Good news seems in short 

supply in the national media, 

but there’s plenty about if you 

open your eyes. 

Our Business Action 

Awards attracted 100+ entries 

from businesses who actively 

look to achieve success. 

We value all entries and 

thank all entrants for their 

time and effort in entering. 

That alone makes them all 

winners in business. 

Inside you can read about 

our panel of seven judges, all 

accomplished North Devon 

business people, as well as the 

four finalists in each of our 11 

categories – making 44 in all. 

Find your inspiration here! 

>>> PAGES 3 – 15 >>> PAGE 4 >>> PAGES 16 – 25 

@businessactionm | April / May 2020 | business action 1

The Chancellor’s temporary 

measures to support businesses 

through the disruption caused 

by COVID-19, include: 

➤➤Coronavirus Job Retention 

Scheme 

➤➤Deferring VAT and Income 

Tax payments 

➤➤Self-employment Income 

Support Scheme 

➤➤Statutory Sick Pay relief 

package for small and 

medium-sized businesses 

(SMEs) 

➤➤12-month business rates 

holiday for all retail, hospitality, 

leisure and nursery 

businesses in England 

➤➤Small business grant funding 

of £10,000 for all business in 

receipt of small business rate 

relief or rural rate relief 

SUPPORT 

CORONAVIRUS: MAINTAINING BUSINESS HEALTH 

Due to the impact of Coronavirus restrictions on business, the 

Government has announced a number of assistance schemes, some 

of which are listed here – visit official web sites below for details 

Support web sites 

Government Business Support web site 

Dedicated web site detailing government business support 

businesssupport.gov.uk 

Government Guidance for businesses 

Government updates on its support for business 

gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-andbusinesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses 

Devon County Council 

The Devon County Council web site Coronavirus section for businesses 

devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/ 

Heart of the South West Growth Hub 

Business-focused information for businesses in Devon and Somerset 

devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/ 

Coronavirus Business Information Loan Scheme 

The British Business Bank web site includes a link to the Coronavirus 

Business Information Loan Scheme (CBILS), which will temporarily 

replace the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) 

british-business-bank.co.uk/our partners/supporting-business-loansenterprise-finance-guarantee/ 

➤➤Grant funding of £25,000 

for retail, hospitality and 

leisure businesses with 

property with a rateable 

value between £15,000 and 

£51,000 

➤➤Coronavirus Business 

Interruption Loan Scheme 

offering loans of up to £5 

million for SMEs through 

the British Business Bank 

➤➤New lending facility from 

the Bank of England to help 

support liquidity among 

larger firms, helping them 

bridge coronavirus disruption 

to their cash flows 

through loans 

➤➤HMRC Time To Pay Scheme 

More details 

Visit the official web sites 

listed in the box or consult a 

professional adviser, such as a 

qualified accountant, for details 

or clarification – see below. 

Protect your business 

Please check the credentials of 

business advisers you consult. 

Accessing government support 

The Government has been 

quick off the mark to launch 

support packages to help businesses 

survive the COVID-19 

disruption, but in recent days 

the news has featured criticism 

of how difficult it is proving 

for small businesses to access 

these support schemes. 

Initial reports suggest that 

only 1,000 loans have been 

approved despite enquiries 

topping 130,000. This has led 

to the Chancellor announcing 

an overhaul of the guidance 

to encourage banks to lend, 

but the best way of ensuring 

success in any application is 

to prepare thoroughly and 

provide as much information 

as you can first time around. 

We are currently 

supporting a number of 

businesses with their loan 

applications so here are our 

tips on what to include in your 

application: 

1. What support do you need? 

The CBILS scheme is actually 

just government backing for 

standard bank overdrafts and 

loans so think carefully about 

ways to reduce your business 

spending in order to reduce 

the potential loan you will 

need. 

during COVID-19 

Chartered management accountant Susie Kevern of Pound Lane 

Financial Management offers advice on accessing government 

assistance schemes – download from poundlane.co.uk/covid-19/ 

There is a raft of new 

measures to consider: 

furloughing staff, deferring 

VAT and requesting payment 

holidays, amongst others. 

2. Make your case 

The days of bank managers 

who keep in regular contact 

with your business are long 

gone so be prepared to give 

the bank an introduction to 

your business; 

include 

your last set 

of accounts, 

your most 

recent 

management 

accounts and 

a summary of 

your recent 

successes and 

future plans. 

Think of 

this as a sales 

pitch; make 

the bank 

manager want 

to back you. 

3. Outline the effects of the 

disruption on your business 

The bank will want to see the 

effect on both your profitability 

and your cashflow, 

over the next 3-6 months. A 

cashflow forecast is essential 

for this – now, more than ever, 

cash is king. 

As well as the numbers 

make sure you explain what 

changes you expect in words. 

Every business 

will feel 

the effects 

differently 

so you can’t 

expect the 

bank manager 

to know this 

already. 

4. What will 

your business 

look like after 

this is over? 

Do you expect 

some of your 

customers to 

disappear? 

Can you 

capitalise on the changes 

you’ve been forced to make? 

Are new markets suddenly 

open to you? 

Most importantly you need 

to extend that cashflow forecast 

to (ideally) show the bank 

that you expect your recovery 

to allow you to repay the loan 

that you’re applying for. 

Finally, remember to state 

clearly how much money you 

want to borrow based on the 

forecasts above. 

A more detailed guide to 

accessing government support 

is available on our web site, 

along with a range of other 

useful tools and information. 

■■Details 07801 199671 or 

poundlane.co.uk/covid-19/ 

2 business action | April / May 2020 | business-action.co.uk

NEWS 

This issue has been a long time in preparation and, with events moving fast, some of the businesses featured may be pausing operations. In 

view of this, we think it is vital to continue to recognise their business achievements in order to motivate the powering up of our economy 

when current movement restrictions are lifted. So please do check out every business featured while bearing in mind the widespread 

temporary shutdown. Working together, we can help to get all businesses back operating in the future 

Packaging for food and health 

The box-making machines 

at Atlas Packaging are hard at 

work as staff at the Barnstaple 

manufacturing firm step up 

to help the UK’s supply chain 

during the Coronavirus crisis. 

Demand for medicine and food 

packaging, particularly mail 

order boxes and home delivery 

vegetable boxes, has increased 

as people are staying at home 

and ordering online. 

To be able to respond, the 

cardboard packaging company 

has carried out a full review of 

its operations to ensure that 

only the key workers involved 

in the production process are at 

the factory. 

Jason Sharman, managing 

director, explains: “We have 

nothing but praise for the 

professionalism of all of our 

staff who have responded to 

this crisis in a safe yet industrious 

way. To help them work 

safely we’ve changed the way 

Heartfelt Products, which 

manufactures a range of products 

to aid the disabled and to 

promote health in individuals, 

has responded to the Coronavirus 

outbreak by transferring 

production from its usual 

range of products to make 

protective scrubs for doctors, 

health workers and care staff 

in North Devon. 

Managing director Denise 

Anstey, an award-winning 

inventor and product designer, 

was so concerned that the 

protective garments were in 

we run things here and have 

split production into separate 

teams as well as ensuring social 

distancing at all times including 

whilst operating the machinery. 

“Staff are using hand 

sanitisers as an additional 

protection for the packaging 

and our delivery drivers are 

using systems for drop off 

that also avoid any potential 

contamination.” 

Atlas produces a range 

of cardboard based boxes 

Manufacturer switches to scrubs 

such short supply that she 

researched how her business 

could start manufacturing 

them so that they can be 

supplied to key workers at a 

low cost. 

“I saw on social media that 

some staff have no protection 

and have ordered fabric 

and patterns so that people 

can make them from home,” 

explains Denise. “We are 

suspending normal business 

for a few weeks and going to 

and other packaging across 

all industries. While it has 

seen some businesses postpone 

orders as firms go into 

lockdown, food, drink and 

pharmaceutical businesses are 

producing as much as they can 

to keep the UK supplied with 

essential items. 

Box production staff in 

Barnstaple know they’re helping 

in this massive national effort to 

keep the supermarkets stocked 

as a lot of the packaging that 

help support the NHS and 

our carers and GPs in North 

Devon. 

they’re making will be placed 

directly on to the shelves for 

increased speed of stacking. 

“We’ve put up some photos 

on our production screens 

showing boxes being sent 

to NHS staff and other key 

workers. We really want our 

teams to know that the work 

they’re doing is valued and an 

important cog in the wheel of 

how the UK is trying to overcome 

the virus. Without boxes 

then goods couldn’t be sent so 

efficiently around the country 

helping people to stay home 

with online deliveries and also 

for chemists, supermarkets and 

shops to keep their shelves full.” 

The company’s directors 

are assessing operation on a 

daily basis to ensure that staff 

remain safe at work and that 

the machines can keep running 

for the good of everyone. 

■■Details 01271 344055 or 

atlaspackaging.co.uk 

“We will help by trying to 

provide scrubs for nurses, 

doctors, staff and carers. We 

need to look after the people 

on the front line.” 

Denise appealed to anyone 

looking to sew from home 

or anyone looking for scrubs 

to email her at enquiries@ 

heartfelt-products.com 

Denise designed her first 

product, the Slik Stik walking 

stick, in 2006, for which she 

was named ‘British Female 

Inventor and Innovator 2009’. 

■■Details heartfelt-products.com 

Unit 1 

Fletcher Industrial Estate 

Clovelly Road 

Bideford EX39 3EU 

T 01237 459 193 

M 07494 313 242 

E office@sheds4you.co.uk 

www.sheds4you.co.uk 


NEWS 

Telecoms and IT solutions 

specialist Zero 7 is supporting 

customers in North Devon 

with their homeworking setups 

as many employees adapt to 

the Coronavirus lockdown by 

working from their homes. 

Based in Barnstaple, Zero7 is 

ensuring that business telecoms 

enable businesses to continue 

communicating with customers 

and suppliers to keep the 

economy running. 

Temporary solutions it is 

providing include: 

➤➤4G mobile broadband 

➤➤4G routers 

➤➤SIM ONLY mobile packages 

➤➤Phones and tablets 

➤➤Call diverting 

The Carlton, Ilfracombe 

• 24 hour delegate rates available 

• Fully catered team building 

• Michelin dining experience 

• Participative courses 

• Business facilities 

Call today for our training 

packages, price & information 

01271 862446 ilfracombecarlton.co.uk 

Telecoms specialist 

supports homeworkers 

➤➤Inbound numbers 

➤➤Voicemail 

➤➤Messaging services 

➤➤VoIP 

Zero7’s Matthew Dawes 

says: “During this time we will 

still be here to support our 

customers and ensure we keep 

them connected. 

“We would like to extend 

this to other businesses in the 

area as we shall remain operational 

and willing to help all 

businesses during this time. 

“We can offer short-term 

solutions and on average we 

save our customers around 

45% on their telecoms bills 

when they transfer to us. 

“To go further we shall 

cover the transfer costs to help 

businesses free up cash flow on 

these essential business tools.” 

Zero7 can provide cost 

saving reports for all businesses, 

whether large or small 

and in any sector. These can 

cover mobiles and fixed line, 

broadband and ISDN with 

short-term options available. 

“Whether you have a simple 

line and internet service 

or something much larger, 

reducing these bills during this 

time will be a massive advantage 

and we are confident we 

can help,” adds Matthew. 

“If a local business would 

like some advice or even some 

more information on what we 

do and how a local telecoms 

provider can help their business 

now and into the future, then 

we would love to hear from 

them. We are all about helping 

our fellow local businesses.” 

■■Details 01271 370707 or 

zr7.co 

Switch spending to local businesses now 

It is a platitude that we have 

heard for so long: shop local. 

But not enough of us do. 

Another platitude is: use it or 

lose it. If we don’t practise the 

first platitude, the second will 

come true. 

Many local businesses have 

suspended operations and, 

while the Government has 

announced support schemes, 

there is no indication that 

these will be successful in 

keeping businesses afloat. 

Meanwhile, many national 

companies are raking it in as 

customers have no alternative. 

If customers do not switch 

back to buying from local 

businesses at the first opportunity, 

North Devon high street 

stores and village shops could 

disappear and in future years 

people will complain about 

total domination by national 

and global companies. 

Do not wait for government 

or councils to take action, as 

from experience we know that 

the business community and 

individuals are more effective 

at achieving necessary change. 

It is up to each and every 

one of us. 

When you want to buy, stop 

before going online. Search 

to find how you can purchase 

from a North Devon business. 

We started our #10to1m 

campaign when chosen 

to represent Small Business 

Saturday and we urge 

everyone now to switch 

spending. Support #10to1m or 

start your own town or village 

campaign. Just buy local! 

01271 267420 | info@gtales.co.uk 


Acupuncture practice goes online 

Following guidance from the 

British Acupuncture Council 

and its own commitment 

to safe practices and social 

distancing, One Acupuncture 

in Barnstaple is now offering 

only virtual consultations 

until further notice. 

Since her childhood, owner 

Alison Savory has always 

wanted to make sick people 

better, which led her into 

clinical research with a First 

Class degree in Biochemistry 

and Molecular Biology and 

a PhD in Clinical Medicine 

from Cambridge. 

She had a successful 15-year 

career in the Pharma industry 

sector, including senior global 

and European commercial and 

medical roles, before training 

in acupuncture and Chinese 

herbal medicine. 

She now has a BSc 

(Hons) Acupuncture and is 

a full member of the British 

Acupuncture Council, the 

main UK regulatory body. 

“I am very conscious that 

many people can’t currently 

access their usual hands-on 

treatment, such as physio, 

acupuncture and massage,” 

says Alison. 

“I am offering Chinese 

herbal medicine in this 

interim, with virtual consults 

online or on phone and your 

personalised herbal formula 

delivered to your door.” 

The clinic is offering a 20% 

discount on all virtual herbal 

consults and a 50% discount 

for staff at North Devon 

District Hospital. 

Alison works with clients 

with the desire and commitment 

to make changes and 

restore health and balance, so 

they can reach their full potential 

and live life well. 

■■Details 07591 173441 or 

oneacupuncture.as.me 

NEWS 

Adapting is a sign of the times 

Like all businesses, we The Sign Maker in High Bickington is one of many manufacturers in Memorials web site 

are trying to make our way North Devon adapting to changing circumstances. Here marketing Despite the hardships we are 

through a very unexpected coordinator Poppy-Lee Price explains what steps the longestablished 

family business is taking to keep the business running launched our UK Memorials 

facing, this month we have 

and unprecedented time. After 

getting ourselves through 

site after many months of hard 

Brexit (and giving ourselves a 

work. We have been making 

pat on the back for doing so), 

signs now for over 17 years 

we have now been faced with 

and within those years began 

this pandemic. 

the production of high quality, 

We are very lucky that we 

bespoke memorials. 

are a family-run business who 

This side of the business 

live on-site in a very rural 

began to grow into a considerable 

section of our company. 

location. It has meant we 

have been able to stay open 

However, it was our customers 

by our office team working 

who pointed out that our main 

from home while we complete 

orders with a very minimal 

website was beginning to be so 

production team. 

large that it was hard to find 

your way around. 

Introducing precautions 

So in order to improve our 

Those are not the only precautions 

we have taken to ensure 

existing site – UK Memorials at 

usability, we re-launched an 

the safety of our team. In 

uk-memorials.net – this time 

addition, we have added stickers, 

which we print ourselves, 

using the WordPress platform. 

We are really happy with 

all over our site to inform 

the site, but, as anyone in 

everyone to wash their hands 

constantly. We have no delivery 

digital knows, the work 

drivers entering the workshops 

is never finished and our 

Stickers available from The Sign Maker 

but instead they collect and 

director Kate is still beavering 

deliver at a designated location come into contact with hands need budget-friendly stickers away and making improvements 

all the time. 

set aside from the workshops with either a bleach-based or signage in association with 

with signage to instruct. 

solution or a citric acid solution 

three times a day. 

touch and we can see how we sign-maker.net or 

COVID-19, please do get in ■■Details 01769 561355 or 

We are also cleaning all 

door handles and surfaces that If any other businesses can help. 

uk-memorials.net 

Helping travellers get home safely 

Clare Flint has worked in travel 

for 25+ years and runs corporate 

and leisure travel businesses 

from her home office. Recently 

she has been working all 

hours for clients, following the 

unprecedented travel disruption 

caused by Coronavirus. 

“My focus is caring for 

people – my customers and 

the communities I work within 

- and this has never felt more 

important,” says Clare. 

While many people adapt 

to working from home, Clare is 

used to working flexibly around 

clients and ensuring she is there 

when they need her. 

She is glued to updates from 

the Foreign and Commonwealth 

Office, reacting to new 

developments and contacting 

clients affected to make 

alternative travel arrangements, 

re-book or refund. 

She has seen customers’ 

holidays cut short and, working 

with Travel Counsellors’ 

24/7 Duty Office, has worked 

exhaustively to get them home. 

She has also been supporting 

travellers who didn’t book 

travel through her business but 

have been stranded across the 

globe and in need of help. 

The crisis has highlighted 

potential gaps in current 

travel legislation, with travel 

companies and airlines now 

navigating the rules set out by 

the Package Travel Regulations 

for circumstances for which 

they were not created. 

“It’s proved the value of a 

‘human’ travel expert. With 

ever-changing travel advice, it 

truly pays to put your faith in 

a trusted travel expert who can 

look after every element of your 

booking, and be there for you 

wherever you are in the world, 

and whatever the time zone.” 

■ ■ Details 01271 882990 or 

travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint 


NEWS 

Finding Jobs for People and People for Jobs 

Temporary & Permanent recruitment solutions throughout North Devon! 

01237 439500 

www.simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk 

Follow us: 

Author opens relocated salon 

Author James D. Mortain 

recently cut the ribbon for the 

official opening of the newly 

relocated Urban Wave hairdressers 

in Northam, owned 

by Sandra Ramsey. The new 

salon occupies the corner spot 

at the junction of Fore Street 

and Cross street. 

James said, “We all have 

dreams, which is how they 

remain until you add a few 

ingredients, which are a 

sprinkling of luck, a heap 

of self-belief, and a ton of 

dedication. It’s good to see that 

Sandra has put all that together 

because we’re standing inside 

Sandra’s dream right now. It’s 

great to be part of that on this 

special day.” 

Sandra opened her first 

salon in Northam Square in 

2014 and moved to Cross 

street in 2018. During that 

Packaging manufacturer wins MoD contract 

Barum & Dewar (B&D), the 

UK-based specialist packaging 

company, has been awarded a 

contract from the UK Ministry 

of Defence (MoD) to design 

and deliver a wide range of 

specialist packaging solutions 

in support of the New Style 

of IT (Deployed) Projects 

(NSoIT(D)). 

NSoIT Deployed is the 

MoD-designed-and-owned 

deployable communications 

and information system for 

UK and multinational military 

missions intended to rapidly 

deliver improved capability to 

the frontline and ensure that 

operational mission services 

work in a single information 

environment. 

New salon: (from left) owner Sandra Ramsey and author James D Mortain 

cut the ribbon at the official opening 

rack style cases and associated 

ancillary products. 

B&D will undertake all 

design and development work 

at its modern facilities in 

North Devon while manutime 

the business has established 

a loyal clientele which 

continues to grow. Sandra says, 

“I fell in love with hairdressing 

25 years ago and have been 

in the business ever since. I 

love my work and the amazing 

The five-year contract for 

hardware containerisation 

begins with immediate effect 

and includes the design, development 

and manufacture of 

ruggedised transit cases, 19” 

people I get to meet. I’m so 

looking forward to my journey 

in Northam. It is an amazing 

place and so are the people in 

Devon. I’m very lucky.” 

Sandra achieved an A+ in 

her training qualifications and 

continues to train when new 

courses are available, ensuring 

she can accommodate all 

aspects of hairdressing for men 

and women including: colour, 

colour correction, balayage, 

hair extensions, bridal hair 

and advanced colour and 

cutting techniques. She is also 

a fully trained barber, trichologist 

and an advanced bridal 

stylist. Previously, she trained 

many advanced hairdressing 

students at Petroc when she 

taught there. 

Sandra has been a big fan 

of James’ work for a long time. 

His new book ‘Dead Ringer’ 

was published in February and 

is available at the salon. 

Sandra’s motto for the salon 

is: Life isn’t perfect but your 

hair can be. 

■■Details 07494 468318 or 

urban-wave.business.site 

facturing will be undertaken 

at several sites within the UK 

including B&D’s dedicated 

foam fabrication facility at 

Southampton. 

B&D managing director 

David Frame says: “We are 

delighted to be able to work 

with the UK MoD on this challenging 

and exciting project. 

B&D have 20+ years’ experience 

in developing innovative 

deployable packaging solutions 

for the defence sector and 

this contract recognises the 

work of our dedicated team in 

this specialist area. The award 

is testament to the trust that 

the UK MoD places in B&D to 

deliver on our commitments.” 

■■Details barumanddewar.com 


ACCOUNTANTS 

Glover Stanbury 

Barnstaple & Bideford 

t: 01271 375271 / 01237 471881 

w: gloverstanbury.co.uk 

ADMINISTRATIVe SERVICES 

Exmoorfern 

South Molton 

t: 01598 740210 

w: exmoorfern.co.uk 

ARCHITECTS 

Sam Nolan RIBA Architect 

North Devon & UK 

t: 01271 325 236 

w: northdevonarchitects.com 

Brewery 

GT Ales 

Chivenor 

t: 01271 267420 

w: gtales.co.uk 

Building Supplies 

RGB Building Supplies 

Branches in Barnstaple, Bideford, 

Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, 

Ilfracombe, Okehampton, South 

Molton, Tiverton 

w: rgbltd.co.uk 

Business Advisor 

Susie Kevern 

North Devon 

t: 07801 199671 

w: poundlane.co.uk 

Commercial Property 

James Doble Commercial 

North Devon 

t: 01237 424053 

w: jd-commercial.co.uk 

Copiers & Printers 

Clarity Copiers North Devon 

Barnstaple & North Devon 

t: 01237 374061 

w: claritynorthdevon.co.uk 

Copywriting & communications 

Zarywacz 


t: 01271 879100 

w: z2z.com 

Counselling & Psychotherapy 

North Devon Counselling 

Barnstaple 

t: 07872 501606 

w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk 

FINANCIAL ADVISER 

Philip J Milton & Co Plc 

Barnstaple 

t: 01271 344300 

w: miltonpj.net 

HealTh & SAFETY 

JI Health & Safety Consultancy 

Combe Martin 

t: 07732 328222 

Holiday cottages 

Marsdens Devon Cottages 

North Devon 

t: 01271 813777 

w: marsdens.co.uk 

Hotels 

The Carlton 

Ilfracombe 

t: 01271 862446 

w: ilfracombecarlton.co.uk 

Human Resources 

Fitzgerald HR 

Barnstaple, Exeter, London & 

Wellington 

t: 01271 859267 

w: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk 

Hypnotherapy 

New Life Hypnotherapy 

South Molton 

t: 01769 57471 

w: newlifehypnotherapy.org 

Insurance 

Towergate 

Bideford 

t: 01237 429978 

w: towergate.com/locations/bideford 

Together Insurance Solutions 

Barnstaple 

t: 01271 347147 

w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk 

DIRECTORY 

BUSINESS LISTINGS 

Locksmiths 

MJS Locksmith 

Bideford 

t: 07532 139388 

w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk 

SW Locksmiths 

Holsworthy / Bude 

t: 01409 255533 

w: swlocksmiths.com 

Networking groups 

Business Networking in Barnstaple 

Barnstaple 

t: 0843 289 1339 

w: bnibarnstaple.co.uk 

Devon Partnerships 

Devon 

t: 07393 149855 

w: devonpartnerships.co.uk 

North Devon Networking Group 

Barnstaple 

w: northdevonnetworking.co.uk 

Rise 

Barnstaple 

e: martin@duchyifa.co.uk 

Torridge Business Network 

Westward Ho! 

w: torridgebusinessnetwork.co.uk 

Office Supplies 

South West Office Supplies 

North Devon 

t: 01271 889337 

w: swofficesupplies.co.uk 

Packaging 

Atlas Packaging 

Barnstaple 

t: 01271 344055 

w: atlaspackaging.co.uk 

List your business all year! 

£50 Business Action Plan 

The £50 annual Business 

Action Plan promotes your 

business throughout the year 

in this magazine – see listings 

above – and online in our 

needitfindit.uk directory. 

➤➤Magazine listing, including 

name, business type, phone 

number, web site and 

address, printed in 6 issues. 

➤➤Online listing including 

name, business type, phone 

number, web site and 

address, description and 

logo for one year. 

➤➤6 issues of magazine mailed 

direct to your UK address. 

BOOK YOUR LISTING NOW AT 

business-action.co.uk/plans 

Photography 

Tarkatography 

Westward Ho! 

t: 07977 414798 

w: tarkatography.co.uk 

Printing 

Jamaica Press 

Buckland Brewer 

t: 01237 452333 

w: jamaicapress.co.uk 

Recruitment 

Cooper Golding 

Barnstaple 

t: 01271 349745 

w: coopergolding.co.uk 

Simple Recruitment 

Bideford 

t: 01237 439500 

w: simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk 

Signs 

The Sign Maker 

High Bickington 

t: 01769 561355 

w: sign-maker.net 

Solicitors 

Slee Blackwell 

Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, 

South Molton 

t: 0808 139 1606 

w: sleeblackwell.co.uk 

Telecoms 

Zero7 

Barnstaple 

t: 01271 370707 

w: zr7.co 

TRAVEL AGENT 

Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors 


t: 01271 828990 

w: travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint 

Web SITES & DIGITAL 

Itseeze North Devon 

North Devon 

t: 07890 633458 

w: itseeze-northdevon.co.uk 

Peak Online 

Bideford 

t: 01237 721256 

w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com 

Welding & Sandblasting 

Nott’s Welding 

Ilfracombe & North Devon 

t: 07706 595955 

Wills 

Wills at Home 

West Yelland 

t: 01271 860105 

w: wills-athome.co.uk 

WE OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH: 

Valuations 

Cost Management 

Bills of Quantities Tendering 

Procurement 

Invoice Reconciliation 

CALL TODAY for an informal chat: 

01271 603053 

futuredimensions.uk 

info@futuredimensions.uk 

Beautiful candles – Handmade in Devon 

SHOWROOM & STUDIO 

Lyn Candles . Lynton . N. Devon . EX35 6BS 

Tel: 01598 753321 www.lyncandles.com 

e-mail: lyncandles@btopenworld.com 


Barnstaple-based Home 

Hardware was recently 

presented with Britain’s Best 

Housewares Wholesaler Award 

for the fourth year running at 

the Housewares Innovation 

Awards dinner in Birmingham. 

Home Hardware is Britain’s 

largest dealer-owned supplier 

for independently owned 

hardware and DIY stores. 

Financial director Sean 

Davey was delighted to collect 

the award on behalf of Home 

Hardware, commenting: “It 

is particularly satisfying that 

we won again despite strong 

competition from the other UK 

major wholesalers.” 

The awards recognise the 

UK housewares industry’s finest 

achievements, from exceptional 

products and companies to 

outstanding retailers. 

Chief executive officer 

Martin Elliott adds: “It’s a great 

achievement and reflects the 

commitment, effort and hard 

work of all our staff throughout 

the company, together with the 

SEA Ltd has beaten competitors 

from across the UK 

in national manufacturing 

awards run by Make UK, the 

manufacturers’ organisation. 

SEA was named national 

winner of the Innovation 

category, sponsored by HVM 

Catapult. The Barnstaple-based 

company, is a world-leading 

supplier of electronic systems 

to the defence, transport and 

offshore energy sectors. 

The judges commented: 

“This company sought to 

develop a miniaturised underwater 

acoustic sensing solution, 

reducing the size dramatically 

so it could be deployed from 

AWARD WINS 

Homeware wholesaler is 

best in UK for fourth year 

Four in a row: (from left) stand-up comedian Tom Ward; Sean Davey, 

finance director of Home Hardware and Tony Grimshaw of Whatmore Ltd 

support of our suppliers and 

the commitment and loyalty 

from our retailers.” 

In early March, Home 

Hardware was able to go ahead 

with its annual trade show at 

Westpoint Exeter before the 

full impact of Coronavirus hit. 

much smaller vessels, opening 

up a wider range of potential 

applications in UK and export 

markets. Whilst the project 

overcame technical and supply 

chain challenges, to deliver a 

prototype as swiftly as they did 

was quite remarkable. 

“The company had a clear 

focus on product development. 

In implementing clear 

objectives, the company have 

improved an existing product, 

expanded use and increased 

turnover. It’s a fantastic 

success and we encourage 

other businesses to speak to 

SEA and to emulate the clear 

focus the organisation has put 

Martin Elliott comments: 

“Although the attendance from 

retailers was down by around 

30% due to fears over the spread 

of the Coronavirus, business 

was actually reasonably brisk 

with retailers taking advantage 

of the numerous special 

into innovation.” 

Steve Hill, managing 

director, SEA, added: “The 

work that the team have put 

in to making the KraitArray a 

‘best-in-class’ technology has 

been phenomenal. This project 

has enabled SEA to grow our 

market presence in naval 

sonar systems and secured 

the company’s reputation 

as an international supplier 

of cutting-edge technology 

within the maritime sector. 

The KraitArray has pushed 

technical boundaries and is 

unrivalled by its competitors, 

which is why this award is so 

well-deserved.” 

offers and extra trade show 

discounts available from the 

120 exhibitors in attendance. 

It also proved to be an excellent 

opportunity for several of 

our suppliers to launch new 

products to our retailers. 

“Although it was unfortunate 

the show attendance 

was affected by concerns over 

Covid-19, we were thankful 

that we were still able to go 

ahead as planned, with full 

support from our suppliers as 

there had been no Government 

announcement at that point in 

terms of any restrictions. If our 

trade show had been scheduled 

to be a week later, we would 

probably have made the decision 

to cancel it. 

“We are currently trying to 

trade through unprecedented 

circumstances and although we 

have numerous contingency 

plans, we are just taking a 

day at a time and working to 

Government guidelines.” 

■■Details 01271 337479 or 

homehardware.co.uk 

Manufacturer wins national innovation award 

Dick Elsy CBE, chief 

executive of the High Value 

Manufacturing Catapult, said: 

“Innovation is the beating 

heart of a thriving company. 

Mastering its rhythm is key 

to developing great products, 

achieving outstanding productivity 

and putting a business 

ahead of the pack. Innovators 

are the drivers of opportunity. 

They create robust, 

sustainable growth, whatever 

the economic outlook, and 

deserve our recognition and 

praise. SEA is a worthy winner 

of the Innovation Award.” 

■■Details 1271 337500 or 

sea.co.uk/contact/barnstaple/ 


AWARD WINS 

Top dogs win marketing award 

Canine Cottages was declared 

the winner of Best Integrated 

Campaign (under £500k) for 

its Canine Critics 2019 campaign 

at The Travel Marketing 

Awards 2020. 

The dog-friendly market 

has experienced massive 

growth in the past few years, 

with a 40% increase in the 

number of dogs included on 

bookings with The Travel 

Chapter brands, based in 

Bideford, over the past year. 

With 26% of the UK 

population owning a dog, the 

campaign’s strategy was to 

target this audience through 

a multi-channel approach. 

Applicants were encouraged to 

enter the competition through 

on-site content, a social 

marketing campaign and via 

Canine Cottages marketing 

emails. 10 winners were then 

hand selected to review dogfriendly 

cottages across the 

UK as well as test out a range 

of treats and gadgets. 

There were a further 20 

dogs chosen as runners-up, 

receiving a voucher to stay at 

the Canine Cottages property 

of their choice. 

The Canine Critics 

campaign reached over 2 

million dog owners and 

featured in more than 157 

online and print publications, 

growing brand awareness and 

increasing engagement. This 

resulted in it attracting a total 

of 51,850 applications. 

The ages of dogs entered 

ranged from six months to 21 

years and the most popular 

names were Bella (1,029), 

Luna (948), Poppy (876), Lola 

(837) and Alfie (705). Among 

the more unusual names were 

Princess Miriam Mobbs- 

Cartner Duchess of Flintshire, 

Hattie Von Schnauzer and 

Professor Dexter T. Doodles 

McDoody Face. 

Chief marketing officer 

James Starkey commented: 

“We are delighted that our 

team have been recognised 

for the fun and innovative 

campaign Canine Critics, 

as well as for being a team 

of exceptionally skilled and 

creative people. 

“The hard work from the 

last year has certainly paid off 

and we’re incredibly proud to 

have been recognised amongst 

so many great brands in the 

travel industry. 

“Now it’s time to focus on 

making this year’s Canine 

Critics campaign bigger and 

better than ever!” 

The Canine Critics 2020 

pre-registration stage is now 

open, with Canine Cottages 

set to recruit a new pack of 10 

dogs this spring. 

■■Details caninecottages.co.uk 

North Devon apprentice speaks at Westminster 

Applegate recently returned to 

Parliament to celebrate apprenticeships 

with the Chartered 

Management Institute, particularly 

the CMDA (Chartered 

Manager Degree Apprenticeship), 

in which Applegate has a 

number of employees enrolled. 

This visit is the second in 

two years, with Applegate 

chief executive officer Stuart 

Brocklehurst (a companion 

of the CMI) and apprentice 

colleagues invited to speak on 

both occasions. 

This year’s apprentice 

visitor Joanna Nancekivell, 

HR executive, said: “I had 

the privilege of attending 

the Chartered Management 

At Parliament: (from left) Selaine Saxby, North Devon MP; 

Stuart Brocklehurst, chief executive of Applegate 

and Applegate apprentice Joanna Nancekivell 

Institute event at Parliament to 

speak about my experience as a 

Business Management Degree 

Apprentice. 

“Speaking in front of a 

number of people including 

senior MPs was not something I 

thought I could do, but I’m very 

glad to have had the opportunity 

and felt proud to represent 

Applegate Marketplace and 

show off their brilliant apprenticeship 

scheme. 

“We are very pleased to 

work with the CMI and look 

forward to grasping further 

opportunities with them as 

they arise.” 

■■Details 0345 600 7177 or 

applegate.co.uk 


NEWS 

Holiday park offers warm welcome 

North Devon is famous for its 

friendliness and attracts many 

business owners committed 

to offering excellent customer 

service to visitors. 

Steve Whitehead and Judith 

Goodwin have maintained this 

commitment since acquiring 

Manleigh Park holiday park at 

Combe Martin in 2017. Steve 

has considerable experience 

of working on a park home 

estate, while Judith’s experience 

includes hospitality and 

interior design. Originally from 

Sussex, the couple were looking 

for a holiday park close by, but 

fell in love with Manleigh Park 

when they came to view it. 

They run the park along 

with two full-time staff from 

Combe Martin along with two 

seasonal wardens plus local 

contractors. On average, the 

park hosts 3,000 visitors a year 

in its 24 letting units, which 

comprise chalets, log cabins 

and caravans. 

Since arriving at Manleigh 

Park, Judith and Steve have 

started a programme of 

When you move house, you 

are also moving your life, so 

your choice of removals company 

is very important. 

North Devon Removals 

and Storage was established 

in 1987 and is now run by Lee 

Ranger with his son, Rory. 

As a family-owned business, 

it has built a reputation as a 

trusted service provider. 

“You’ve got to be trustworthy,” 

says Lee. “People are 

trusting their life’s belongings 

to you.” 

The importance of this is 

reflected in the company’s 

Judith, Steve and Baxter, the labradoodle of Manleigh Park, Combe Martin 

refurbishment of the chalets 

and log cabins to ensure they 

are warm, comfortable and 

homely. They have also adapted 

‘The Bungalow’ to incorporate 

improved facilitities for 

guests with mobility issues. It 

can now accommodate up to 

three guests in one kingsize 

room and one single room. All 

the doorways are wheelchair 

friendly and the bathroom is a 

‘wet room’ with hand rails adjacent 

to the toilet and shower. 

Access to the bungalow is by 

level footpath via its dedicated 

parking space. 

As well as physical comfort, 

Judith and Steve ensure that 

their guests’ experience begins 

the moment they arrive. There is 

a pint of milk in the fridge and 

enough tea, coffee and sugar for 

a couple of days. They also have 

two toilet rolls, tea towels, oven 

gloves, dishcloth, washing-up 

Moving across UK and Europe 

flexibile approach. While some 

people prefer to pack themselves, 

others, especially older 

people, like to have everything 

packed and unpacked for 

them and Lee and his team do 

their utmost to ensure they 

leave customers with their 

belongings where they want 

them in their new homes. 

liquid, dishwasher tablets and 

hand soap. All beds are made 

and towels are provided. 

Steve says: “People come 

in all stressed, but when you 

mention tea and coffee, all of a 

sudden they stop and it puts a 

smile on their face as they relax.” 

Judith adds: “We just want 

to make it the best it can be. 

We want people to think of 

Manleigh Park and think of us.” 

Judith and Steve work hard 

to promote the area’s attractions 

to their guests and offer a 

drop-off and collection service 

for walkers. 

The park is also dog friendly, 

under the watchful eye of 

labradoodle Baxter, who has 

his own blog and Instagram 

account. 

With guests saying that 

the park gives their children 

magical memories just like the 

ones family holidays with their 

parents gave them, visitors are 

guaranteed a warm welcome at 

Manleigh Park. 

■■Details 01271 883353 or 

manleighparkdevon.co.uk 

A member of the British 

Association of Removers and 

Trading Standards approved, 

North Devon Removals has 

a range of vehicles including 

full-size pantechnicons and 

smaller 3.5-tonne vans. 

It undertakes domestic 

and office moves across the 

UK and is one of the few 

companies offering international 

removals, often 

completing moves to and from 

Austria, France, Germany and 

Switzerland. 

■■Details 01271 858654 or 

northdevonremovals.com 

Cranford Business 

Services Limited 

Call 01271 326694. 

info@boomboomedia.co.uk 

visit www.boomboommedia.co.uk 

Does your accountant... 

www.accountsindevon.co.uk 

Old Stone, Cranford, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5QW 

07896 204 857 

Listen to you and act on your needs? 

Explain your accounts in terms you understand? 

Arrange meeting at your convenience? 

Leaving you free to concentrate on what you do best! 


NEGLIGENCE 

Promote your business all year round with our 

Business Action Plans 

All plans include 

➤➤6 adverts (if selected) 

➤➤6 magazine listings 

➤➤online listing 

➤➤6 mailed magazines 

➤➤plus more 

Select plan 

£50 Business Action Plan – 6 magazine listings 

£150 Business Action Plan – 6 business card adverts 

£275 Business Action Plan – 6 banner adverts 

£400 Business Action Plan – 6 quarter page adverts 

£750 Business Action Plan – 6 half page adverts 

£1,375 Business Action Plan – 6 full page adverts 

Payment options 

Pay in full or by 

12 monthly instalments – 

with no extra charges. 

Put yourself in front of 

North Devon businesses. 

Book online at business-action.co.uk/plans or call Alan on 07970 671192 

What’s the difference between a lawyer, 

an accountant and a surveyor? 

I would like to say that the 

question above is the beginnings 

of a great joke and then 

sock you with a hilarious 

punchline. But sadly, I can’t. As 

a solicitor who specialises in 

professional negligence claims, 

I can say that in fact, there is 

very little difference between 

them. Or indeed any professional. 

They can all be negligent 

and they can all be sued. 

In fact, any individual can 

be considered negligent but 

when it comes to professionals 

– usually defined as those who 

are members of a professional 

body and/or are obliged to 

hold Professional Indemnity 

Insurance – it is their expertise 

in that profession that is being 

put to the test. 

So what do you need to 

prove to bring a claim for 

professional negligence? 

Firstly, you need to show 

that there was some sort of 

special relationship between 

Emma Slade of Slee Blackwell Solicitors on professional negligence 

you and the 

probably would 

professional. 

say payment 

This can be 

helps if you can 

quite simple. 

believe half the 

If you asked 

lawyer jokes 

them to do 

doing the rounds 

something for 

on the internet. 

you in their 

Secondly, you 

professional 

need to show that 

capacity and 

they breached 

they agreed 

their duty of care 

to do so, they 

to you. Not very 

will owe you 

easy because if 

a duty of care 

you employed 

to act reasonably 

and 

ably don’t have 

them, you prob- 

to a reasonable standard. that expertise yourself. But 

Funnily enough, an exchange that is not the test. The test 

of money (an invoice) is not to see whether a professional 

always necessary to show that has been negligent is whether 

a “special relationship” or duty the professional was acting in 

of care is owed. You just need a manner that is acceptable 

to show that the professional to a similarly qualified and 

knew you would be relying experienced professional. 

on their advice. Obviously, And finally, to bring a 

evidence of payment does claim, you have to show that 

help – but then as a solicitor, I the breach has caused you to 

suffer a financial loss. Don’t 

think that simply because you 

are out of pocket, it ticks the 

box for this third requirement. 

There must be a direct 

and foreseeable link between 

the breach and the loss. For 

example, if your surveyor 

missed the existence of damp 

in a property, you may have 

lost the opportunity of getting 

a reduction in the house value. 

But if you crash your car when 

you hear how much it is going 

to repair, you can probably see 

that the cost of the car repair 

is a little too remote to claim. 

Although complicated, to 

be honest, it is relatively easy 

to find out if there is a claim. 

Quite simply, call Slee Blackwell. 

My team and I are more 

than happy to have a chat with 

you and give you a free risk 

assessment of any claim you 

may think you have. 

■■Details 01271 372128 or 

sleeblackwell.co.uk 

Looking for independent financial advice? 

Call us on 01237 426450 

for a free initial consultation 

Friendly, Reliable, Affordable 

• Accounts 

• Bookkeeping 

• Limited Companies • VAT 

• Tax 

• Payroll / CIS 

contact@dscottfinancial.co.uk 

https://dscottfinancial.co.uk 

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 

Over 20 years experience - Free initial meeting 

mail@garethpollardaccountancyservices.com 

T: 01409 254817 M: 07811 164428 

The Old Orchard | Holsworthy | Devon | EX22 6LT 


Successful businesses need 

to innovate and the outbreak 

of Coronavirus challenges all 

businesses to do this now. 

Alexandra Stapleton and 

Ben Clisby, who started AB 

SEA Services in Torrington in 

2019, were already working on 

how to transform gardening 

maintenance and design 

services using online tools. 

They could not have imagined 

how useful it would be 

to introduce their concept 

of digital garden design and 

quotations at this time. 

Alexandra, who is originally 

from North Devon, was 

working in London where 

she applied her Photography 

degree in picture editing and 

communications agencies. 

During this time she met Ben 

and found that they shared 

the idea of running their own 

business, although saw this 

was not viable in London. 

As a result, they moved to 

North Devon to start AB SEA 

Services, combining Ben’s 

experience of gardening and 

landscaping with Alexandra’s 

digital and marketing expertise. 

The decision to take their 

service online has provided a 

valuable tool to maintain their 

services at the current time. 

Alexandra says: “There’s a 

silver lining to every cloud, 

and we have found ours. 

“Ben and I have been 

discussing the Coronavirus 

over the last few days and 

we’ve decided to launch 

B2B event planned for 

Thursday 29 October 

It’s still a way off, but the 

intention remains to stage 

North Devon’s biggest business 

exhibition as planned, 

subject to circumstances. 

BBXpo offers presentations, 

promotion and networking to: 

➤➤build business relationships 

➤➤create new opportunities 

➤➤provide business advice 

➤➤support business growth 

■■Watch out for details at 

bbxpo.uk 

something unique that we 

feel might evolve our business 

whilst offering a new service 

to local people. 

“At the bottom of the 

NEW BUSINESS 

Gardening goes digital 

Ben Clisby and Alexandra Stapleton of AB SEA Services 

homepage on our web site, we 

have included our new Digital 

Quoting service whereby 

potential clients can complete 

an easy two-step process. 

Gradsouthwest, the graduate 

job board for South West 

England, has partnered with 

the new GradTalent Development 

Agency to offer a range 

of free recruitment services to 

eligible employers. 

Funded by the Office for 

Students, this new initiative 

aims to help local graduates 

secure graduate level opportunities 

across the South West. 

Gradsouthwest is helping to 

deliver the programme across 

Devon, Dorset and Somerset 

by offering eligible SMEs a 

bespoke package of support 

which includes free recruitment 

advertising to thousands 

of student and graduate candidates 

who want to work locally. 

The eligibility criteria are 

straightforward and most local 

SMEs will qualify. Local graduates 

can also access expert 

advice through a free CV 

review and interview coaching. 

While approximately two 

thirds of those who study in 

the South West stay in the 

region after graduating, they 

are not necessarily working 

in graduate-level jobs. At the 

same time, reports suggest that 

more than two thirds of South 

West employers struggle to find 

skilled workers. 

The GradTalent Development 

Agency aims to bridge 

this gap by highlighting the 

“Firstly, upload five images 

to our web site and then 

secondly answer one round 

of questions. Once that’s 

completed, our final quote 

and availability are sent over 

to you within 48 hours. That’s 

right – 48 hours!” 

The new digital service: 

➤➤speeds up quotations 

➤➤eliminates homeowners 

having to waste time 

waiting for someone to turn 

up to survey their garden 

➤➤reduces visits and face-toface 

contact – important 

when social isolation is 

required due to Coronavirus 

➤➤eliminates silent treatment 

often experienced after 

asking for quotes 

➤➤reduces AB SEA’s carbon 

footprint 

➤➤produces beautiful results 

in your garden quicker 

Alexandra adds: “We are 

determined to keep money 

flowing through the local 

economy and we will not let 

this stop our business.” 

AB SEA Services offers 

a complete garden service 

from grass cutting, weeding, 

fencing and maintenance to 

turfing, landscaping, planting 

and waste removal. It provides 

these to both homeowners and 

commercial customers. 

■■Details 07799 478318 or 

abseaservices.com 

Service helps SMEs recruit graduates 

opportunities available and 

helping graduates to articulate 

the skills they offer. 

Dr Deborah Watson, 

director of Gradsouthwest, 

said: “We have already had a 

great response to this initiative. 

Local businesses welcome the 

opportunity to widen their 

recruitment channels on a 

no-risk basis, and graduates 

are thrilled to be able to access 

targeted support right at the 

point they need it. On a wider 

level, we are passionate about 

our region and delighted to 

be able to do our bit for the 

economy by retaining the graduate 

talent on our doorstep.” 

■■Details gradsouthwest.com 


NEW BUSINESS 

Going above and beyond 

Starting a business is tough at 

any time, but starting a business 

when so much of the economy 

has been forced to shut down 

is even tougher. This has not 

dissuaded Carolyn Daley, who 

is launching her virtual assistance 

service, Daley Admin. 

As Carolyn is based at her 

home, she remains able to 

respond to clients’ needs and 

is using any quiet time to learn 

and grow to develop her business 

skills and services. 

When growing up, Carolyn’s 

parents ran a block paving 

business and she helped out by 

answering phones and emails. 

This developed a strong passion 

for excellent customer service, 

which is what Daley Admin 

aims to deliver. 

“I know what a struggle it is 

running a business and want to 

help people,” says Carolyn. “I 

want to provide that extra bit of 

back-up. I do what needs to be 

done when people don’t have 

enough hours in the day.” 

After studying English 

Literature and Media Studies at 

degree level, Carolyn’s experience 

includes writing web site 

content for a national firm of 

chartered surveyors, administering 

Amazon sales for an 

online seller and managing 

database information for a 

consultancy firm. She is always 

keen to do what is required 

to get the job done and even 

started to learn German when 

her employer needed help with 

translation into English. 

Another benefit of being 

home-based is that Carolyn, 

who has cerebral palsy, is set 

up to complete assignments in 

her own fully-equipped office, 

and can receive and send work 

remotely, using the internet, 

email and phone. 

“I am happy to go out and 

meet clients and do the work at 

home,” adds Carolyn. 

She fully believes everyone 

with a disability adds value: 

“My ethos is to go above and 

beyond. I am prepared to learn 

anything that will help a client’s 

business. Virtual assistance is 

my way of helping people.” 

■■Details 07706 028825 or 

Facebook @Daleyadmin 

Letting go of material possessions 

Overwhelm can impact us 

in many different ways. We 

can be overwhelmed by news 

and information, but also by 

material possessions. It can be 

tempting to think of hoarding 

as something that other people 

do, but dealing with treasured 

family heirlooms that we 

don’t want or wrestling with 

the temptation to shop when 

we don’t need anything is 

widespread. In many cases, it 

can blight people’s lives as they 

struggle to cope. 

Natalie Hare realised this 

when working in housing 

support with a housing 

association and decided that 

it was such a big problem that 

she wanted to help people to 

take back control of their lives. 

In 2018, supported by a grant 

from the Bridge Trust, she 

launched Hare to Organise, 

a professional decluttering 

service which organises and 

simplifies “life, home and all 

that surrounds it”. 

Having already attained 

qualifications in mental 

Natalie Hare of Hare to Organise 

health, health and social 

care, housing and counselling, 

Natalie discovered the 

Association of Professional 

Declutterers and Organisers 

(APDO) when researching 

hoarding disorder and trained 

with them in order to become 

a full member. 

APDO membership 

includes insurance, a commitment 

to its code of ethics, ICO 

registration and recognition 

by the Fire Service and health, 

social care and housing agencies 

and organisations. Natalie 

is one of 300 APDO members 

across the UK and one of only 

two Devon members, the 

other being based in Exmouth. 

Natalie’s clients range from 

busy professionals with no 

time to organise their homes to 

individuals with mental health 

issues, including hoarding 

disorder, depression and 

anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, 

dementia and chronic disorganisation. 

Often she receives 

referrals from Early Help, 

Social Services and Environmental 

Health bodies and her 

work is sometimes paid for by 

community funding. 

“I don’t feel like I work now, 

I feel I really make a difference,” 

says Natalie. “Trust is 

the most important thing. It 

can take a lot for someone 

to invite another person into 

their personal space and go 

through things that are private 

and often painful.” 

Natalie’s work can include 

planning kitchens for functionality, 

ensuring wardrobes 

work for an individual or 

re-organising home offices 

for business people who have 

become overwhelmed. 

“I introduce systems 

enabling people to simplify 

day-to-day living or help 

them to move forward 

following life-changing 

events, such as bereavement, 

divorce, downsizing or family 

crisis. My aim is to make 

people feel safe when making 

often tough decisions.” 

She likes to support people 

for six weeks or so to ensure 

they have systems in place 

so that they don’t get back 

into a mess again. As well as 

supporting people practically, 

she draws on her experience 

and qualifications to support 

people emotionally. 

Natalie is pleased at the 

response to her service and 

aims to expand the business by 

training and employing people 

to create more local jobs. 

“It isn’t about just tidying 

up; it is enabling people to let 

go of the emotional attachment 

they have to material things.” 

■■Details 07528172381 or 

haretoorganise.co.uk 


CONSTRUCTION 

£10,000 skills grants for small 

construction businesses 

The Construction Industry 

Training Board (CITB) was 

due to relaunch its Skills and 

Training Fund in April and 

has now modified this further 

in view of Coronavirus. 

The new scheme now offers 

grants of up to £10,000 to 

micro and small businesses 

(with up to 100 employees) 

with grants of up to £25,000 

for medium businesses with 

up to 250 employees. 

Since 2015, CITB’s Skills 

and Training Fund has 

awarded more than £21.6 

million to some 4,800 micro 

and small companies, enabling 

them to access funding to 

provide training. Now CITB 

is increasing the amount 

of funding available and 

widening the scope of eligible 

training, so that companies 

with 100-250 employees are 

also eligible for funding. 

“The new CITB Skills 

and Training Fund has 

been refreshed to become 

a wider, more flexible offer 

for employers,” says CITB 

chief executive Sarah Beale. 

“We have responded to the 

urgent COVID-19 situation by 

changing the focus of the fund 

and offering more flexibility on 

what businesses can apply for.” 

The fund has been 

expanded to support business 

sustainability, the focus being 

broadened from productivity 

and innovation to helping 

employers with sustainability 

and skill retention. These are 

key concerns for the construction 

industry in the current 

extraordinary circumstances. 

In 2020-21 the expanded 

Skills and Training Fund will 

allocate £10m exclusively to 

micro and small businesses to 

allow them to invest in new 

ways of using technology, 

e-learning and upskilling staff. 

This figure will rise to £12m 

for 2021-22 and 2022-23. 

Additionally, in response 

to industry stakeholders, 

an additional £4m is being 

allocated to medium-sized 

businesses for 2020–2021. 

CITB will shortly unveil a 

Leadership and Management 

Development Fund for larger 

businesses. 

“Construction companies 

are under incredible pressure 

as a result of COVID-19,” adds 

Sarah. “At the moment, the 

main priority is doing all we 

can to ensuring businesses and 

employees are protected so 

that, when the current emergency 

finally comes to an end, 

the sector is armed with the 

skills and resources it needs to 

keep Britain building.” 

Purpose of funding 

The fund’s main purpose is to 

improve productivity through: 

1. Support to do more and 

better training 

2. Funding training to 

improve the business – 

addressing challenges, 

taking up new opportunities 

or responding to the fact 

that the business is growing 

and needs new skills 

3. Helping businesses to test 

new ways of developing a 

skilled workforce 

4. Offering financial support 

for a wide range of training 

or activity (not just CITB 

standardised training) 

In response to the COVID-19 

crisis the purpose of the fund 

has been expanded to support 

business sustainability, the 

delivery of contingency plans 

or changed training needs 

resulting from the crisis. 

This might include 

programmes to support: 

5. Retention of staff 

6. A change to the type of 

training needed in the 

business 

7. Developing the right skills to 

manage change and ensure 

business sustainability 

Fundable activity 

The fund supports a wide 

range of training and other 

‘people development’ activity: 

➤➤CITB standardised (grant 

eligible) training 

➤➤Other training, including 

‘in house’ training 

➤➤Activity specifically aimed 

at developing skills or 

knowledge e.g. mentoring 

➤➤Development of bespoke 

training resources 

➤➤Help for businesses to 

understand their training 

needs and develop better 

training and development 

plans 

All training or activity must 

be either construction specific 

or to develop management, 

leadership or supervisory 

skills. 

The fund supports online 

learning and other forms 

of people development that 

do not need to be delivered 

face-to-face. It also supports 

businesses to develop their 

own training videos or online 

resources. 

Activity can include, but is 

not limited to: 

➤➤The full cost of training 

listed in the CITB Grant 

scheme 

➤➤Training outside of the 

CITB Grant scheme – 

either accredited or where 

quality can be demonstrated 

➤➤Business development 

accreditation focused on 

people/ skills development 

e.g. IIP 

➤➤Coaching and mentoring 

delivered by an accredited 

coach or mentor 

It also includes development 

of learning resources for the 

individual company, that are 

not already available in the 

market, including: 

➤➤Training course content 

➤➤Development of a subjectspecific 

learning program 

➤➤Training videos or online 

courses (that make use of 

existing platforms) 

➤➤Company specific guidance 

or manuals for staff 

(where the purpose is the 

development of knowledge 

or skills) 

Funding criteria 

The criteria used for approving 

grants are: productivity 

(improving the business), 

innovation (new to the business), 

impact, quality and 

value for money. 

Productivity is defined as 

helping a business to grow 

and develop and become more 

efficient and profitable. 

In response to COVID-19 

the fund will also support projects 

that are about sustaining, 

rather than improving the 

business. In this case training 

or activity could focus on: 

➤➤Sustaining the business 

➤➤Retaining staff 

➤➤Maintaining training, 

either to address immediate 

gaps or preserve skill levels 

for the longer term 

➤➤Equipping staff with new 

skills to lead or manage in a 

different context 

Innovation includes not 

just technology but something 

that’s new to the individual 

business. Projects that focus 

on a COVID-19 response can 

include training or activity 

that is not new to the business. 

Full details and applications 

This is a brief summary of the 

Skills and Training Fund and 

construction businesses can 

find full details online or by 

contacting CITB adviser Roy 

Imeson, based in Ilfracombe. 

■■Details 07770 800 954, 

email roy.imeson@citb.co.uk 

or visit citb.co.uk 


HEADER 

£3,600 funding to help recruit graduates 

University of Plymouth is 

offering Devon SMEs the 

opportunity to recruit skilled, 

recent graduates within the 

STEM fields with incentive 

payments of up to £3,600. 

STEM Graduates into 

Business, part-funded by 

the European Regional 

Development Fund (ERDF) 

and led by the University of 

Plymouth, provides access to 

recent graduates with fresh, 

innovative ideas and the drive 

to develop professionally. 

Employed as a paid intern for 

either three, six or 12 months, 

it offers flexibility to small and 

medium businesses looking to 

meet current market demands. 

Recent research from the 

HoTSW LEP reveals that nearly 

98% of businesses in the region 

employ less than 50 people and 

that lack of skills, particularly 

in STEM (Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Mathematics) 

related roles has been highlighted 

as a key barrier to 

productivity. Some Devon 

SMEs have also admitted to 

Did you know that over 65% 

of students and graduates 

from the region, stay in the 

region*? 

*Gradsouthwest.com 

being unable to easily find and 

acquire the necessary talent to 

drive growth and innovation. 

STEM Graduates into Business 

aims to support businesses with 

overcoming these barriers by 

creating a cohort of graduate 

employing SMEs in the region. 

Recruitment with a difference 

Working directly with STEM 

Graduates into Business 

removes any upfront recruitment 

costs. 

They co-ordinate the 

recruitment process, 

supporting the creation of 

an eye-catching vacancy, and 

advertise the vacancies on 

regional and national graduate 

platforms as well as exclusive 

university and strategic 

partner channels. 

With no need to go through 

the usual job sites or recruitment 

agencies, you can access 

recent graduates with the STEM 

skills your business needs 

without breaking the bank. 

Return on your investment 

STEM Graduates into Business 

provides access to adaptable 

graduates, who bring cuttingedge 

sector knowledge and 

determination for professional 

development. A graduate can 

bring state-of-the-art skills that 

enable new product development 

or the creation of a new 

service – the perfect candidates 

to boost your business growth. 

■■To find out more and 

recruit a graduate, visit www. 

plymouth.ac.uk/STEMgrad 

or email stem-graduates 

@plymouth.ac.uk 


AWARDS 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 

2020 

North Devon’s independent business awards 

104 entries gave our judges an 

exceptionally tough task in our 

first annual Business Action 

Awards for North Devon. 

We are astounded by the 

high level of interest received 

and the time and effort that 

entrants put into completing 

their entries. 

Read about finalists 

You can read about all 44 

finalists, who represent towns 

throughout North Devon, over 

the following pages. 

Thank you to judges 

Our Business Action Awards 

would not be possible without 

the valuable assistance of our 

seven judges, each of whom 

has given considerable time to 

reading through the entries, 

researching entrants and 

spending an entire working 

day on meeting to decide the 

finalists and winners. 

Finalists revealed 

Judging of the awards entries at the Chichester Arms, Bishop’s Tawton 

We selected each judge owners face, the decisions they 

for their knowledge of their have to make, the setbacks they 

sector and their day-to-day encounter and the true value of 

experience of running a business. 

This means that they 

We also thank each of them 

business owners’ achievements. 

all understand what business for giving up the opportunity 

to enter their own business in 

the awards in order to maintain 

the awards’ fairness and 

independence. 

Read about our judges and 

their businesses opposite. 

The judging 

On the day of judging, the 

judges debated vigorously, 

ensuring that each entry was 

considered evenly and fairly on 

its own merits. 

The decisions were difficult 

because so many of the entries 

were from very impressive 

businesses. 

Finally, the judges agreed on 

the 44 finalists, 11 deserving 

category winners and one 

overall winner. 

The process was very 

inspiring because of the broad 

range of enterprise, innovation 

and hard work exhibited by all 

the entrants. 

We had the date booked, the 

Landmark Theatre booked 

and were about to start selling 

tickets for our June Business 

Awards Event – our big, big 

party and networking evening 

– when Coronavirus struck. 

At the time of writing, there 

is no indication of when social 

business-action.co.uk/awards 

Celebrating winners 

isolation rules will be relaxed, 

so arrangements are on hold. 

We do realise that everyone, 

especially those who entered, 

wants to know who has won. 

Don’t worry. We have 

a number of options for 

announcing the winners and 

presenting their prizes. 

We also have plans for 

networking among entrants 

and winners, and will publish 

details of these as soon as we 

can confirm them. 

In the meantime, read all 

about our sponsors, judges 

and finalists. 


MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS 

Susie Kevern 

Pound Lane 

Financial Management 

Susie Kevern is a Chartered 

Management Accountant with 

20 years’ experience working in 

businesses large and small. She 

moved to Devon in 2001 and 

has worked with some of the 

county’s leading food brands, 

managing their finances so 

that the decision makers have 

the information they need 

to control the business and 

successfully execute their 

growth plans. 

Since setting up her own 

consultancy in 2011, she has 

worked with a number of small 

and medium-sized businesses 

in a variety of industries, from 

food production to dentistry. 

■■Details 07801 199671 or 

poundlane.co.uk 

MANUFACTURING 

Vikas Mahajan 

Aramis Rugby 

Vikas Mahajan founded Aramis 

Rugby (Europe) in 2000 

and officially took on the role 

of leading Aramis Rugby Ltd 

(worldwide) in August 2013. 

Born in India, Vikas is the 

third generation in a family 

business established since 

1927. He graduated from 

university with a degree in 

Economics, Business and 

Accountancy. In the midnineties, 

he attained a Master’s 

degree in International 

Business with specialisation 

in trade with the European 

AWARDS JUDGES 

Meet the judges 

Union. He then trained with 

Lufthansa Airlines at its 

Customer Loyalty programme 

division in New Delhi. In 

the late 1990s, he attained 

his second Master’s degree 

in Business Administration 

(MBA) from Bremen University, 

Germany with a specialisation 

in Global Management 

and Entrepreneurship. 

Today, all of Aramis Rugby 

scrum machines sold worldwide 

are manufactured at 

its factory in South Molton, 

Devon and then exported 

worldwide. 

■■Details 01769 550284 or 

aramisrugby.co.uk 

PERSONAL FINANCE 

Rod Martin 

Together Financial 

Solutions 

Rod Martin began his career in 

finance over 25 years ago and 

worked for many years in the 

property investment industry 

in London. He then moved in 

to the banking sector, spending 

several years working within 

the mortgages and wealth 

management sectors during 

which time he also ran his own 

businesses both in the UK and 

overseas property markets. 

Rod is now happily settled 

back in Devon where he works 

with Together Financial in 

Barnstaple looking after clients’ 

pensions and investments as a 

Financial Planning Adviser. 

■■Details 01271 346123 or 

togetherfinancialsolutions.co.uk 

TECHNOLOGY 

Mike Matthews 

Lineal Software 

Solutions 

Mike Matthews is managing 

director of Barnstaple-based 

Lineal Software Solutions, 

which began life in the 1980s 

as a business application 

software provider (accounts, 

stock, MRP), and has grown 

ever since to become a comprehensive, 

multi-disciplinary 

IT company with a team of 

25+ employees. 

Mike is former chairman 

of the North Devon Federation 

of Small Businesses (FSB) 

and takes a keen interest in 

supporting North Devon’s local 

businesses and economy. He is 

a frequent speaker at business 

events across the region. 

■■Details 01271 375999 or 

lineal.co.uk 

RETAIL 

Helen Pedlar 

Pedlars Home Hardware 

Helen Pedlar is part of a 

150-year-old Ilfracombe family 

business, now in its sixth 

generation. Helen’s involvement 

with the store started at 

an early age before she took 

a break to study Textiles at 

university. 

Today the business is 

characterised by its friendly 

and helpful staff who are happy 

to be of assistance and always 

prepared to go that extra mile 

to ensure customer satisfaction. 

■■Details at Facebook 

@pedlarshomehardware 

DESIGN 

Frank Stone 

Clevera 

Frank Stone is a creative 

thinker who started out on the 

design trail in 1994, launching 

his first business 20 years ago, 

and currently owning and running 

design agency, Clevera. 

With no formal training 

or qualifications, Frank has 

established a business built on 

strong reputation, long-term 

working relationships and 

excellent customer service, 

resulting in a mix of clients 

large and small, local, national 

and international, some of 

whom have been with him 

since 1999! 

■■Details 01271 346759 or 

clevera.co.uk 

COMMERCIAL FINANCE 

Rachael Taylor 

SWIG Finance 

Rachael Taylor has been in 

finance for the past 22 years, 

moving to North Devon in 

2007 where she was a local 

commercial manager for 

Lloyds Bank. 

In 2019 she started with 

SWIG Finance as business 

manager covering Devon where 

she continues to support SMEs 

with their businesses. 

■■Details 01872 223883 or 

swigfinance.co.uk 


AWARDS 

NORTH DEVON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2020 

sponsored by 

The North Devon Business of 

the Year 2020 is being sponsored 

by Philip J Milton & 

Company Plc. 

Philip Milton says: “As the 

managing director of Philip J 

Milton & Company Plc, independent 

wealth managers and 

financial advisers, I am very 

pleased to sponsor this year’s 

Business Action Awards and 

to celebrate the showcasing 

of the marvellous variety of 

successful businesses here in 

North Devon. 

“I look forward to congratulating 

each of the category 

winners and nominees on 

their excellence and for 

providing our young people 

with aspirations of a bright 

and lucrative future right here 

on their doorstep.” 

■■Visit miltonpj.net 

Thank you to all our awards sponsors 

We are grateful to all our awards sponsors, without whom the 

Business Action Awards would not take place. Read about them at 

business-action.co.uk/awards/2020-1st/sponsors 

The Independent Corrugated 

Cardboard Packaging Specialists 

Passionate about our Community and supporting 

our Charity of the Year 2020. 

01271 370707 www.zr7.co hello@zr7.co 

LINES AND CALLS 

BUSINESS BROADBAND 

VOIP TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 

BUSINESS MOBILES 

4G CONNECTIVITY 

WI-FI NETWORKS 

ISDN AND PBX 

CABLING AND INSTALLATIONS 

LEASED LINES AND GIGABIT 

IN-HOUSE BILLING AND INVOICING 

LOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT 

Roundswell Business Park, 

Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3TT. 

+44(0)1271 

344 055 

sales@atlaspackaging.co.uk 

www.atlaspackaging.co.uk 


BARNSTAPLE 

Barum and Dewar 

Barum and Dewar designs, 

manufactures and supplies 

protective cases / containers, 

custom foam inserts and 19” 

racks to the defence, space and 

technologies sectors. 

It is an SME business with 

its head office in Barnstaple and 

a team of six people consisting 

of design, production planning, 

sales and finance. Its sister 

manufacturing company B&D 

Foam is based in Southampton, 

employing a production team 

of 10. Managing director David 

Frame is based in its Scotland 

office, but regularly works from 

the Barnstaple site. 

■■barumanddewar.com 

HOLSWORTHY 

Mystery Shoppers 

Mystery Shoppers was set up 

in 1991 by Paul Grafton, a certified 

management consultant 

and former British Airways 

inflight product and cabin 

crew training manager. 

As customer experience 

consultants, the company 

LYNTON 

Churchill House 

Churchill House is an outdoor 

and lifestyle shop in Lynton, 

which was established in 1995 

by Julie Smyth. It was run as 

a clothing business 25 years 

previously by Julie’s parents. 

As well as one clothing 

shop, Julie also runs a gift shop 

on Queen Street called Willow, 

which she took over in 1993. 

Julie employs three full-time 

staff who have all been working 

with her for more than 10 

years. She now runs the business 

with her daughter, Claire. 

ILFRACOMBE / LYNTON 

AWARDS FINALISTS 

VISIT COOPERGOLDING.CO.UK 

specialises in using its Mystery 

Shopping programmes 

to achieve clients’ objectives 

– usually continuous 

improvement, compliance or 

competitor monitoring. 

With its headquarters in 

Holsworthy, it has offices 

in London and Bulgaria as 

well as franchises in Kenya, 

Botswana and Myanmar. 

It has developed a shopper 

database of 260,000+ people 

and is a member of the MRS 

and MSPA, strictly adhering to 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN BEST EMPLOYER? 

Clathers 

Clathers is family-run business, 

run by mother and son, 

based in Devon and Somerset. 

No nonsense approach to health and safety 

H&S 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


JI Health & Safety Consultancy 

H&S Audit 

H&S Training 

Tailored H&S Management Systems 

Assistance with SSIPs Accreditations 

Risk Assessment / Risk Management 

Jane Bass 07732 328222 

DipNEBOSH jinnes2@sky.com 

Best Employer 

sponsored by 

their high standards of service. 

■■mystery-shoppers.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

Tarka Holiday Park 

Tarka Holiday Park is ideally 

situated for a relaxing, laidback 

visit. It has no clubhouse, 

swimming pool or restaurant, 

but does have a unique 

atmosphere of serenity and 

seclusion, perfect for discerning 

holiday guests for whom peace 

and tranquility is high on the 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Their vision is to maintain the 

business and keep it in the 

family for generations to come 

■■churchillhouselynton.co.uk 

Best Retailer 

It retails a varied and unique 

collection of clothing, footwear, 

accessories, homewares 

and gifts. The family pride 

themselves on the quality of 

service their stores provide. 

The Lynton store opened 

two years ago and the Ilfracombe 

store opened one year 

ago, following the success of 

the Lynton Shop. There are 

holiday wish list. Nestled in its 

beautiful natural setting, Tarka 

is the perfect antidote to the 

everyday stresses of modern life. 

The park was nominated for 

its diverse, inclusive approach 

to recruitment, training and 

ongoing support of employees. 

■■parkholidays.com/our- 

parks/devon/tarka 

ILFRACOMBE 

The Terrace Tapas 

& Wine Bar 

The Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar 

serves freshly cooked, authentic 

Spanish tapas. It invites 

customers to enjoy its warmth 

of service and unhurried, 

relaxed style of dining. It is 

family run and family friendly. 

It also welcomes dogs into the 

bar area. 

It provides a truly continental 

atmosphere with 

a glass of Rioja and good 

conversation. 

The Terrace Tapas & Wine 

Bar is based on one site in 

Ilfracombe and employs bar 

staff, waiter and waitresses, 

glass cleaner, chefs and KPs. 

■■terracetapasbar.co.uk 

the chocolatier working or see 

the video of chocolate making. 

There is also a free chocolate 

museum to browse, with tasters 

available from the chocolate 

flavour wheel. 

It also has a separate seaview 

workshop area where groups 

can pre-book and come along 

to taste the different chocolates 

made in the shop, learn about 

the art of chocolate making, 

then design and decorate their 

own chocolates to take home. 

■■ilfracombechocolate 

emporium.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

also two shops in Somerset. The Crafty Beer Shop 

■■clathers.com 

The Crafty Beer Shop was 

established in March 2019 on 

ILFRACOMBE the historic Butchers Row. 

Ilfracombe Chocolate Its ethos is to embrace 

Emporium 

micro brewers, the best local 

Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium 

breweries in the South West 

is a pretty little Victorian and the best of British. 

shop on Ilfracombe High Street. It also stocks great beers 

The business makes fresh from around the world, as 

chocolates on site several times well as spirits including small 

a week and the kitchen is often batch gins, rums and wines. 

being used so visitors can watch ■■thecraftybeershop.com 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN BEST RETAILER? 


BARNSTAPLE 

Boden Group 

The Boden Group was founded 

in 2009 by managing director 

Steve Boden and is now a 

regional leader in providing 

multi-trade building services. 

The group is a trusted 

partner working within the 

commercial, Ministry of 

Defence (MoD), health, education, 

local government and 

leisure sectors across Southern 

and South West England while 

also providing services for largescale 

contracts across the UK. 

It has three core divisions – 

Boden Facilities Management, 

Boden Fire and Security and 

Boden Construction – and is 

the only company in the region 

to hold such an extensive range 

of supply, installation and maintenance 

services under one roof. 

■■bodengroup.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

ILFRACOMBE 

Kula Fitness 

Russell Port founded 

Kula Fitness in 2017 after 

researching the area and 

recognising a need for private 

health and fitness training. The 

studio is a specific strength and 

conditioning gym that Russell 

manages with partner Emily. 

It supports ‘anybody’ in the 

community wanting to start 

getting fit. 

Based on 25 years’ combined 

fitness industry experience and 

a number of qualifications, the 

studio can look after 99% of 

an individual’s goals covering 

health, fitness and nutrition 

support. Services include goal 

setting, nutrition advice and 

exercise sessions. 

■■kulafitness.co.uk 

BIDEFORD 

SHEDS 4 you 

SHEDS 4 you originally 

started by buying in off-theshelf 

buildings and provided 

an installation service for 

those who were unable to do 

it themselves. When demand 

trebled, it started to manufacture 

its own buildings, sheds 

and bespoke buildings at its 

premises in Clovelly Road. 

Over the past three years, 

the operation has grown in 

reputation and size. It now 

employs eight members of 

staff from the fitting team, 

to manufacturing and office 

staff. The team pull together to 

provide an all-round service 

for customers, going the extra 

mile and completing a lot of 

extras. Services have expanded 

to include installation and 

erection of garden buildings, 

small garden works, remedials 

to customers’ existing buildings, 

fencing, gates, disposal of 

old buildings and production 

of a variety of bespoke garden 

projects and buildings. 

■■sheds4you.co.uk 


business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Business-to-Business Excellence 

BrandLanterns 

BrandLanterns was started by 

Sara-Jane Williams to support 

hospitality businesses, food 

and drink producers, foodservice 

wholesalers and catering 

suppliers by making them 

more profitable. 

This can range from 

working with cafés, restaurants 

and pubs to increase 

footfall and customer spend 

while reducing overheads to 

helping food producers and 

wholesalers to grow their 

sales. This is achieved through 

a range of marketing, training 

and mentoring services for all 

sizes of business. 

■■brandlanterns.co.uk 

sponsored by 

VISIT ZR7.CO 

BARNSTAPLE 

Fitzgerald HR 

Fitzgerald HR started in 2008 

when Lucy Fitzgerald launched 

as a freelance HR consultant. 

Lucy found that many of the 

employers she worked with 

needed more than a HR advice 

line; they needed someone to 

handle their HR for them. 

12 years later, the business 

operates from its head office 

in Barnstaple and a network of 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN B2B EXCELLENCE? 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Consumer Service Excellence 

BARNSTAPLE 

The Hair Lounge 

Tori Kiff opened The Hair 

Lounge in May 2014 at the age 

of 22. Tori is a fully qualified 

hair stylist and state registered 

hairdresser. She regularly 

completes training to ensure 

that she keeps up to date with 

the latest industry practices, 

trends and product ranges, in 

order to maintain a professional, 

high quality service. 

The salon offers hairdressing 

services, including cutting, 

colouring, smoothing and 

styling. Services are available for 

everyone and, being a smaller 

salon, the aim is to offer a true 

relaxation experience. This 

includes one-to-one appointments, 

which are perfect for 

WHICH CONSUMER SERVICE FINALIST WILL WIN? 

local offices across the South 

West and South East, and a 

growing team. 

Its growth has been generated 

by its ability to adapt 

services to each individual 

client’s needs and requirements. 

■■fitzgeraldhr.co.uk 

BIDEFORD / BARNSTAPLE 

Imaginary Space 

Imaginary Space solves 

business problems using 

contemporary design and 

strategy. Usually, these are 

related to building awareness, 

increasing sales, automating 

or improving their internal 

processes. 

Imaginary Space’s team 

of three talks with the client 

about their problem and also 

who their customer is and 

what they want to communicate 

to them. 

Then they create a piece 

of media that can help them 

solve their problem. This 

can range from a new logo 

and branding to a web site, 

brochure, adverts, posters or 

business cards. 

■■imaginaryspace.co.uk 

busy people who need time out, 

people with additional needs or 

with children. 

■■hairloungebarnstaple.co.uk 

ILFRACOMBE 

Torrs Park 

Dental Practice 

Torrs Park is a small, independent, 

family-run dental 

practice. It started more than 

100 years ago and has been 

under the present ownership 

for the past 15 years. A team of 

seven runs two surgeries with 

a view to expanding further. 

The practice offers a range 

of dental services from routine 

maintenance and prevention 

to advanced restorations, 

with one dentist qualified at 

postgraduate level in cosmetic 

dentistry and pain relief. All 

services are provided in a 

relaxed environment where 

comfort is key. Although a 

private practice, it aims to be 

accessible to everyone and 

tries to work with clients 

to enable them to access its 

award-winning care. 

■■Find on Facebook 

@torrsparkdentalpractice 


TORRINGTON 

AB SEA Services 

AB SEA Services began when 

Alexandra Stapleton and Ben 

Clisby joined forces in order 

to combine their expertise and 

create a unique business. 

Ben brings seven+ years 

of gardening experience to 

the company, gained from 

managing clients in Ascot and 

West London. 

Alexandra’s background in 

all things creative means she 

has a natural flair for designing 

outside spaces. 

AB SEA Services has 

launched an online garden 

services quotation service, 

which appears to be the only 

one of its kind in the area. 

■■abseaservices.com 

BARNSTAPLE 

eNaycH 

eNaycH operates an online 

ecommerce web site established 

to educate organisations 

using the WordPress content 

management system (CMS) 

about the interaction of the 

CMS and data protection and 

privacy legislation in a costeffective 

way. 

It achieves this via an 

eBook-style guide, ‘WordPress 

and the Data Protection & 

Privacy Legislation’ available 

for download. The guide 

includes a ‘Let’s Get Started’ 

section, which creates an 

imaginary scenario for owners 

of new sites to use their 

imagination and apply the 

methodologies in the guide to 

their site. It covers: security; 

back-ups; ecommerce; newsletters; 

privacy policy legal 

requirements; cookie policy 

and what needs to be included. 

It also enables existing 

WordPress web site owners to 

re-evaluate their compliance 

and take corrective/retrospective 

action as required. 

■■wpdataprotection.com 


business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Digital and Online Achievement 

BIDEFORD 

Peak Online 

Peak Online started in July 

2014 in Hong Kong and business 

shortly followed it back to 

the UK. Initially, it operated in 

Cardiff and now also operates 

from its Bideford office to focus 

on developing new business 

growth in North Devon. 

It provides a complete 

online solution in web design, 

apps and digital marketing. 

Its long-standing knowledge 

and experience of all things 

internet, combined with a 

personalised ‘customer-first’ 

approach to everything it does, 

sets it apart from some of the 

bigger service providers. 

■■northdevon.peak-online. 

uk.com 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN THE DIGITAL AWARD? 

CLOVELLY 

The Clovelly 

Soap Company 

The Clovelly Soap Company 

creates handmade soap, home 

fragrance, bath and bodycare 

products. 

The business has 14 

employees and two owners 

and operates a retail shop in 

Clovelly, Amazon sales, online 

sales via Etsy and its own web 

site. It uses Instagram and 

Facebook to drive traffic to the 

web site as well as attracting 

lots of repeat business. It also 

has stockists throughout the 

UK and beyond. 

Its products have always 

been completely natural and it 

has never used Sodium Lauryl 

Sulfate, artificial fragrances, 

colours or parabens. 

The current business goal 

is to increase online sales and 

social media presence, using 

Instagram predominantly. It 

also uses a newsletter to send 

information to customers 

about its products and generally 

healthy living. 

■■theclovellysoapcompany.com 

Investment property to Let? 

• Competitive commission rates 

• Local, friendly, expert advice and support 

• Comprehensive marketing 

• Fully managed services to suit your needs 

• NEW! Mobile-optimised website 

• Over 97% of our owners would 

recommend us - find out why... 

Contact us today on 01271 813777 

for your homeowner recruitment pack 

marsdens.co.uk 


BARNSTAPLE 

Advanced Scaffolding 

Advanced Scaffolding undertakes 

all types of scaffolding, 

from small domestic work to 

street works, temporary roofs, 

large housing developments 

and bespoke design works. 

It currently employees 47 

members of PAYE staff and is 

the largest scaffolding company 

in the area. All staff are fully 

qualified and trained, and hold 

CITB/NOCN certifications. 

As well as working in North 

Devon, Advanced Scaffolding 

currently has projects in 

Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter, 

Tiverton, Hertfordshire and is 

just about to start at the new 

Hinkley Power site. 

■■advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

Boden Group 

The Boden Group was founded 

in 2009 by managing director 

Steve Boden and is now a 

regional leader in providing 

multi-trade building services. 

The group is a trusted 

partner working within the 

AWARDS HEADER FINALISTS 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Excellence in Construction 

commercial, Ministry of 

Defence (MoD), health, education, 

local government and 

leisure sectors across Southern 

and South West England while 

also providing services for 

large-scale contracts across 

the UK. 

It has three core divisions – 

Boden Facilities Management, 

Boden Fire and Security and 

Boden Construction – and 

is the only company in the 

region to hold such an extensive 

range of supply, installa- 

sponsored by 

VISIT RGBLTD.CO.UK 

tion and maintenance services 

under one roof. 

■■bodengroup.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

Lodgico 

Lodgico is a family-owned business 

experienced in all aspects 

of building. It has a highlyskilled 

team of tradespeople, 

including carpenters, masons, 

plumbers and decorators. 

Whether customers want a 

bespoke new home, extension 

WHICH CONSTRUCTION FINALIST WILL WIN? 

to their existing property or 

just need a room decorated or 

dripping tap fixed, it has the 

required skills available. 

Lodgico’s work ranges from 

bathroom adaptations for 

disabled people to new build 

homes and holiday lodges 

on holiday parks. It is also 

a distributor for Honka log 

homes from Finland. 

■■lodgico.co.uk 

BIDEFORD 

T&N Developments 

South West 

T&N Developments South 

West offers general building 

services for new builds, extensions, 

conversions, alterations 

and refurbishment works. 

The business provides a 

very high quality of workmanship 

and goes beyond what 

is expected of a contractor. 

The team are all friendly and 

knowledgeable, and sites are 

always kept clean and tidy. 

It also exhibits excellent 

communication skills between 

contractors, clients and architects 

involved in projects. 

■■Facebook @tandndevelopments 

Slee Blackwell Solicitors are an award winning, Legal 500 recommended practice. 2020 is our 

centenary year. We have come a long way in the past one hundred years, but we remain committed to 

the principles of our founder Ernest Slee to provide the highest levels of professional service. 

We are proud to have been awarded Lexcel accreditation, the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark 

for excellence in legal practice management and legal client care. 

Our clients therefore have the peace of mind of knowing that their legal affairs are in safe hands and 

that their interests are being looked after by an established, accredited law firm that is dedicated to 

providing a first class service. 

Call 0808 139 1606 or visit sleeblackwell.co.uk 


BRATTON FLEMING 

Exmoor Zoo 

Exmoor Zoo is a collection of 

rare and endangered species 

from around the world. It 

specialises in small and often 

little-known animals and it has 

a collection of 11 species of cat. 

Exmoor Zoo works closely 

with other zoos, nationally, in 

Europe and worldwide to help 

save the endangered animals of 

the world while maintaining a 

diverse collection. The present 

owners took over from the 

previous Exmoor Bird Gardens 

and have increased visitors from 

10,000 to 50,000. A full-time 

crew of 26 staff operate the 

zoo with seasonal help during 

the main season. It is a family 

business, with three generations 

helping, and two grandchildren 

in the next generation waiting 

in the wings. 

■■exmoorzoo.co.uk 

COMBE MARTIN 

Manleigh Park 

Manleigh Park is a small 

holiday park made up of 24 

mixed letting units. It has 

BARNSTAPLE 

Tommy Gilroy 

Advanced Scaffolding 

Having worked at a number of 

scaffolding businesses, Tommy 

joined Advanced Scaffolding 

in September 2018, holding a 

basic Trainee CISRS card. 

Tommy has integrated 

himself well and has become 

a valued part of the Advanced 

Scaffolding team. He has shown 

good reliability and punctuality 

and a desire to learn. 

Tommy is currently working 

towards the CITB Part 2 Scaffolder 

qualification and travels 

to London up to three times a 

year for two weeks at a time. 

With Advanced Scaffolding’s 

support and his own focus on 

his apprenticeship, Tommy is 

on track for a great future. 

■■advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk 

BARNSTAPLE 

Rosie Hayton 

Turquoise Thinking 

Rosie joined Turquoise 

Thinking to begin her Petroc 

apprenticeship back in March 

2019. Nearly 12 months on, 


business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism 

a mix of chalets, log cabins 

and caravans, as well as a 

bungalow for guests who have 

mobility issues. The park is 

also dog friendly. 

The current owners 

purchased Manleigh Park 

in 2017 and employ two 

permanent members of staff, 

two seasonal wardens and a 

number of local contractors. 

On average, the park hosts 

approximately 3,000 guests 

per year. 

■■manleighparkdevon.co.uk 

sponsored by 

VISIT MARSDENS.CO.UK 

ILFRACOMBE 

WHICH HOSPITALITY FINALIST WILL WIN? 

sponsored by 

VISIT ATLASPACKAGING.CO.UK 

ILFRACOMBE 

she has gained a breadth of 

new skills, knowledge and 

experience and she has thrown 

herself into various tasks and 

projects within all areas of the 

business from sales, marketing, 

project management, 

analysis and reporting. 

Rosie commutes every day 

from Lynton to Roundswell. 

This takes her 1.5 hours on 

two buses. Never has she 

complained. This is testament 

to her character and attitude. 

■■thinkturquoise.com 

The Earlsdale 

The Earlsdale is a modern bed 

and breakfast in Ilfracombe 

with seven en-suite bedrooms, 

along with an honesty bar and 

large breakfast room. 

The present owners took 

over the property in early 

2019 and run the business 

themselves. They updated 

and modernised the property 

and business before opening 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Highest Achieving Learner 

Thomas Maslen 

Brimar Technique 

Thomas was employed by 

Brimar Technique in 2017 to 

initially help with production 

demands of the business and to 

learn basic machine setting and 

operating skills. After working 

for the company for a short time 

Thomas was offered the chance 

to complete an Advanced 

Apprenticeship in Mechanical 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN LEARNER AWARD? 

in April 2019. In 2019 the 

Earlsdale welcomed more than 

1,600 guests. 

■■theearlsdale.co.uk 

APPLEDORE 

The Royal George 

Dating back to the late 1700s, 

the Royal George is a Grade 

2 listed pub, located on the seawall 

with stunning views over 

the Taw and Torridge Estuary. 

The building was completely 

rebuilt and refurbished in 2017 

into a contemporary pub / 

restaurant over two floors, with 

four en-suite letting rooms, 

including two family rooms 

and two double rooms. Two 

rooms are dog friendly. 

The restaurant can serve 

more than 80 people at one 

sitting and there is a firstfloor 

terrace overlooking the 

estuary for al fresco dining in 

good weather. 

The business employs 

25+ people and is constantly 

growing by expanding into 

new markets including 

mobile catering, events and 

private dining. 

■■trgpub.co.uk 

Manufacturing Engineering 

specialising in CNC setting, 

programming and machining. 

■■Facebook @Brimartechnique 

ILFRACOMBE 

Taylor Phelps 

Terrace Tapas 

& Wine Bar 

Taylor has worked at the business 

for two and a half years. 

She is now bar manager, 

having developed and grown 

over the last few years. She has 

just completed her level three 

hospitality supervisor apprenticeship 

and was awarded a 

‘distinction’. This grade is not 

given out lightly and she has 

just been interviewed as a case 

study to help other learners. 

She now manages junior 

staff with confidence and 

runs the bar like clockwork. 

Her business confidence has 

increased along with her 

authority and poise. She has 

a new aura about her which 

is amazing to see. This has 

contributed considerably to 

the business and she continues 

to be a true asset. 

■■terracetapasbar.co.uk 


BIDEFORD 

Heritage Cob and Lime 

Heritage Cob and Lime Ltd is a 

family business that manufactures 

quality lime mortars, lime 

plasters, cob blocks and sells all 

traditional building materials, 

including breathable paints such 

as Earthborn and Keim paints. 

Specialists in building 

restoration, it takes on both 

small and large projects and is 

happy to work to an architect’s 

specification. It employs 11 

members of staff. 

Its lime mortars are used 

across the UK and its cob 

blocks have been used in 

Ireland. Its products have also 

been used by Windsor Castle 

and Buckingham Palace. 

■■heritagecobandlime.com 

SWIMBRIDGE 

Nicola Schellander 

Design 

Nicola Schellander Design 

produces bespoke hand-blown 

and hand-cast glass lighting 

and interior accessories, handmade 

in England. Involving 

the finest crystal and glass 

BARNSTAPLE 

BrandLanterns 

BrandLanterns was started in 

September 2018 by Sara-Jane 

Williams to support hospitality 

businesses, food and drink producers, 

foodservice wholesalers 

and catering suppliers by making 

them more profitable. 

This can range from 

working with cafés, restaurants 

and pubs to increase 

footfall and customer spend 

while reducing overheads to 

helping food producers and 

wholesalers to their grow 

sales. This is achieved through 

a range of marketing, training 

and mentoring services for all 

sizes of business. 

■■brandlanterns.co.uk 

BIDEFORD 

Hare to Organise 

Natalie Hare started Hare To 

Organise in September 2018 

while working full time in 

housing support for a local 

housing association. Currently 

she works alone, but is looking 

to expand and her daughter is 

training with her. 


business 

ACTION AWARDS 


craftsmanship, Nicola Schellander 

offers a unique service 

as one of the only craftmaker 

of both hand-blown, handcarved 

and hand-polished 

crystal and glass in the UK. 

Nicola works in her own 

studio, but harnesses experienced 

glass-blowing and glasscasting 

skills and superior 

craftsmanship from an exclusive 

collection of suppliers and 

craftspeople with whom she 

collaborates. 

■■nicolaschellander.com 

business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Outstanding New Business 

sponsored by 

VISIT SLEEBLACKWELL.CO.UK 

Natalie is the only professional 

organiser in North 

Devon registered with the 

Association of Professional 

Declutterers and Organisers. 

She has a wide range of 

customers from busy professionals, 

working parents with 

no time to organise their 

homes to clients with mental 

health issues, including 

hoarding disorder, depression 

and anxiety, ADHD, OCD, 

PTSD, dementia and chronic 

disorganisation. Her aim is 

Made in North Devon 

sponsored by 

VISIT SIGN-MAKER.NET 

BIDEFORD 

SHEDS 4 you 

SHEDS 4 you originally started 

by buying in off-the-shelf 

buildings and provided an 

installation service for those 

who were unable to do it 

themselves. When demand 

trebled, it started to manufacture 

its own buildings, sheds 

and bespoke buildings at its 

premises in Clovelly Road. 

Over the past three years, the 

WHO WILL WIN MADE IN NORTH DEVON? 

to make people feel safe when 

making often tough decisions. 

■■haretoorganise.co.uk 

BIDEFORD 

Millbrook Dairy 

Company Ltd 

Established in July 2018, 

Millbrook Dairy Company is a 

global buyer and seller of cheese 

and butter, all varieties, bespoke 

and generic. The company hand 

selects every vat of cheese for 

its extra special character from 

WHICH NEW BUSINESS FINALIST WILL WIN? 

operation has grown in reputation 

and size. It now employs 

eight members of staff from the 

fitting team, to manufacturing 

and office staff. The team pull 

together to provide an allround 

service for customers, 

going the extra mile and 

completing a lot of extras. 

■■sheds4you.co.uk 

CLOVELLY 

The Clovelly 

Soap Company 

The Clovelly Soap Company 

creates handmade soap, home 

fragrance, bath and bodycare 

products. 

It has 14 employees and two 

owners and operates a retail 

shop in Clovelly, Amazon 

sales, online sales via Etsy 

and its own web site. It uses 

Instagram and Facebook to 

drive traffic to its site and has 

stockists throughout the UK 

and beyond. 

Its products have always 

been completely natural and it 

has never used Sodium Lauryl 

Sulfate, artificial fragrances, 

colours or parabens. 

■■theclovellysoapcompany.com 

the tastiest noggin of farmhouse 

cheddar to the crunchiest 

morsel of vintage. 

Millbrook sources bulk 

cheese from the UK, Ireland, 

Australia and New Zealand, 

from one pallet to a mixed load 

or 10 full trucks or containers. 

■■millbrookdairy.com 

BIDEFORD 


Simple Recruitment opened 

the doors to its Bideford office 

in July 2018, with just one 

member of staff based out of a 

studio office in Mill Street. 

17 months later and one 

member of staff has turned 

into three and the company 

has moved to a high street 

location on Jubilee Square. 


provides a service where 

all legislative protocol is 

adhered to but the complexities 

of recruitment are taken 

away from those looking to 

recruit and those seeking new 

opportunities by providing the 

simplest, quickest and most 

efficient service possible. 

■■simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk 


SOUTH MOLTON 

Thomas Bedford 

UK Hardwoods ltd 

After leaving school, Tom 

chose not to go to university 

but to purchase his parents’ 

business from them. The 

business imported European 

hardwood boards for flooring. 

Tom’s first decision as owner 

was to stop importing timber 

and to buy only from the 

UK and only from certified 

managed woodland, mainly in 

Devon and Cornwall. 

This was a big step, requiring 

the sawmill to saw all of its 

own trees. Now its timber is 

sawn, seasoned, kiln dried and 

prepared in its yard in Devon. 

The decision has paid off 

and UK Hardwoods now 

specialises in producing 

exceptional solid wide board 

flooring with a width of up to 

400mm, over double that of 

most commercial sawmills. 

The business has also 

become renowned for the 

traceability of its flooring and 

other products. 

■■ukhardwoods.co.uk 

LYNMOUTH 

Liam Drew 

Hole in 1 Lynmouth 

Liam’s experience started at 

the age of 15 or 16, working 

three jobs to save as much 

money as he could for when 

the right opportunity arose. 

One of these jobs was at a 

local ice cream shop. From 

then he knew that he wanted 

to have his own business in 

Lynmouth, selling ice cream. 

He was studying law at the 

time and continued with this 

until 2019. That’s when the 

council put the putting green 

up for tender. Combining his 

love for ice cream and mini 

golf, he researched the business 

and placed a bid which was 

accepted in November 2018. 

■■Facebook @holein1lynmouth 


business 

ACTION AWARDS 


Young Entrepreneur 

CROYDE 

Will Evans 

White Edge Media 

Will completed a three-year 

Film Production degree at the 

University of Gloucestershire, 

graduating in June 2019 with 

first-class honours. During this 

time he won an award from the 

Royal Television Society and 

was involved in making some 

award-winning short films. 

Will created White Edge 

Media to combine his love for 

the outdoors and passion in 

filmmaking. White Edge Media 

uses software such as AVID 

Media Composer, DaVinci 

Resolve and Adobe Creative 

Suite to ensure films are 

created professionally and meet 

industry standards. 

■■whiteedgemedia.co.uk 

WHICH FINALIST WILL WIN YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR? 

HOLSWORTHY 

Tom Musson 

T M Electrical 

Services SW 

Tom started up his own 

electrical business after 

completing his apprenticeship. 

He bought his own tools 

and invested in himself right 

the way through his apprenticeship 

to ensure that upon 

completion he could venture 

out on his own and create a 

business that he could grow 

and be proud of. 

He now has a thriving VATregistered 

business and would 

like to hire his own apprentice. 

■■Facebook @TM.ELECTRICAL. 

SERVICES.SW 

WATCH OUT FOR THE 

AWARDS WINNERS 

Arrangements for our 

Awards Event are on hold 

until Coronavirus movement 

restrictions are relaxed. We 

will announce new event 

details as soon as we can. 

See our web site and social 

media channels for news. 

PROUD TO 

SUPPORT LOCAL 

BUSINESSES 

• 20 branches throughout the South West 

• Take Off Service available 

• Expert staff who can visit site and assist 

with specific requirements 

• Measure and supply of trusses and 

engineered timber products 

• Free kitchen and bathroom design service 

• Account facilities 

Follow us on: 

Rawle Gammon and Baker Holdings Limited. Terms & Conditions apply.

Business Action | April / May 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?