Business Action | Late summer 2020
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Business Action | Late summer 2020

Late summer 2020 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news about business and enterprise in the area. This issue includes articles on inward investment, young people, news businesses and a feature on the North Devon Business of the Year 2020. The area covered includes Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Chulmleigh, Combe Martin, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, Lynton, South Molton, Torrington, Woolacombe and more.

Late summer 2020 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news about business and enterprise in the area.

This issue includes articles on inward investment, young people, news businesses and a feature on the North Devon Business of the Year 2020.

The area covered includes Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Chulmleigh, Combe Martin, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, Lynton, South Molton, Torrington, Woolacombe and more.

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usiness<br />

ACTION<br />

north enterprise<br />

devon<br />

growth<br />

innovation<br />

news & views<br />

business-action.co.uk | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | @businessactionm

CONTENTS HEADER<br />

Web site | business-action.co.uk<br />

Online version | business-action.uk<br />

Vol 2 Issue 4 – <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> – distribution 2,000<br />

Join the online North Devon business community............................. ii<br />

Invest. Support. Make....................................................................................... 1<br />

New farm shop at Atherington ..................................................................... 2<br />

North Devon financial firm celebrates 35 th anniversary ................... 2<br />

£750K scheme gives small business grants.......................................... 3<br />

Boris supports charity campaign................................................................ 3<br />

Northam hairdresser keen to cut................................................................. 3<br />

Jewellery brand goes Olympic .................................................................... 4<br />

<strong>Business</strong> support web sites.......................................................................... 4<br />

<strong>Business</strong> directory – find products and services................................ 5<br />

Ilfracombe: New brewery bottles seaside cheer in beer................... 6<br />

Ilfracombe: Interest in collectible sneakers inspires new shop.... 6<br />

Ilfracombe: £6m hotel a priority................................................................... 7<br />

Adapt, build and export .................................................................................. 8<br />

Don’t shoot me! I’m only the business owner....................................... 9<br />

North Devon <strong>Business</strong> of the Year: A winning formula..................... 10<br />

Young people: Appreciating autism in the workplace....................... 12<br />

Young people want to experience work.................................................... 13<br />

Young people: Pupils’ app wins £10K for school................................. 14<br />

Holsworthy: Accountancy practice expands after first year........... 15<br />

Holsworthy: Community supports town’s businesses...................... 15<br />

Recruitment consultancy supports you................................................... 16<br />

Builders merchant’s twin campaigns........................................................ 17<br />

New PR agency goes virtual.......................................................................... 18<br />

Why choose a chartered accountant?....................................................... 18<br />

In the Hot Seat: Tom Bedford of UK Hardwoods.................................. 19<br />

Promote and network in North Devon....................................................... 19<br />

Shipbuilding to restart in Appledore.......................................................... 20<br />

Family restores country house splendour.............................................. 21<br />

Advertise your business for £30 a year ................................................... 22<br />

© Need it Find it <strong>2020</strong>. All information in this magazine is published in good faith.<br />

Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it.<br />

Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional<br />

before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full<br />

terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.<br />

Meet North Devon<br />

businesses online<br />

Raising awarenessofyour<br />

businessisessentialatall<br />

times,especiallynow.<br />

Since2004wehavebeen<br />

buildinganextensiveand<br />

activelocalandnational<br />

onlinebusinessnetwork<br />

includinggroupsthat<br />

businessescanjoinforfree.<br />

Pleasetakeadvantageof<br />

theseresourcestopromote<br />

yourbusiness,findcustomers<br />

andsuppliers,andgiveand<br />

receivebusinesssupport.<br />

Facebook group<br />

ConnectwithusonFacebook<br />

at @businessactionmagand<br />

jointheNorthDevon<br />

Facebookgroup–runningfor<br />

10yearsandwith1,400+<br />

members–at facebook.com/<br />

groups/ndevon<br />

LinkedIn group<br />

ConnectwithusonLinkedIn<br />

at linkedin.com/company/<br />

businessactionandjointhe<br />

NorthDevongroup–running<br />

for11yearswithalmost500<br />

members–at linkedin.com/<br />

groups/2494210/<br />

Instagram<br />

ConnectwithusonInstagram<br />

at @businessactionuk<br />

Twitter<br />

ConnectwithusonTwitterat<br />

@businessactionmag<br />

YouTube<br />

FollowourYouTube <strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>channel.<br />

See you online<br />

Welookforwardtoconnecting.<br />

JOIN THE NORTH DEVON ONLINE COMMUNITY ON<br />

LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM<br />

ii<br />

business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

THIS HEADER ISSUE<br />

business<br />

ACTION<br />

Invest. Support. Make.<br />

What’s happening?Weknow<br />

it’sanincrediblytoughtimefor<br />

manybusinesses,butwe’ve<br />

beengenuinelyastoundedby<br />

theamountofpositivebusiness<br />

newswe’reabletofeaturein<br />

thisissue.<br />

Weareinnoway<br />

complacent,aschangesto<br />

furloughandotherschemes<br />

havethepotentialtocreate<br />

significantthreatsto<br />

employmentandtheeconomy,<br />

butitisimportanttorecognise<br />

andcelebrategoodnews.<br />

Notonlyistherenewsof<br />

investment,butpeopleare<br />

startingnewbusinessesand<br />

planningforthefuture.AsJayla<br />

Wilcox,managingdirectorof<br />

SimpleRecruitment,pointsout<br />

(page 16),shestartedher<br />

businessattheheightofthelast<br />

recessionandhasachieved<br />

morethanadecadeinbusiness,<br />

soanythingispossible.<br />

INVESTMENT<br />

Inchallengingtimes,<br />

investmentisessential,but<br />

obtainingitismoredifficult<br />

thanever.<br />

NorthDevonhasbeen<br />

buoyedbytheannouncement<br />

ofapotential£13millionof<br />

investmentinthearea–£7<br />

millionintheactual<br />

acquisitionofAppledore<br />

ShipyardbyInfrastrata(page<br />

20)andtheproposed£6<br />

millionconstructionofanew<br />

PremierInnhotelin<br />

Ilfracombe,subjecttoreceiving<br />

planningapproval(page 7).<br />

Bothinvestmentsarean<br />

indicationoftheconfidence<br />

thatmajoroperatorshavein<br />

theNorthDevoneconomy.<br />

Theseprojectsareinaddition<br />

tothehundredsofindividual<br />

investmentsbysmaller<br />

businessesacrossthearea.<br />

Wewillreportonthe<br />

progressofbothprojectswith<br />

greatinterest.<br />

ADVERTISING<br />

Alan Williams<br />

Advertising, Distribution &<br />

Publisher<br />

t: 07970 671192<br />

e: alan@business-action.co.uk<br />

YOUNG PEOPLE<br />

Oneofthegroupshithardest<br />

bytheCoronaviruslockdownis<br />

youngpeople.Notonlyhave<br />

theymissedmonthsofschool,<br />

collegeanduniversity,butthe<br />

disruptiontoexamsand<br />

qualificationswillpossibly<br />

impacttheirprogressincertain<br />

careerpaths.<br />

Youngpeoplearethe<br />

lifebloodforthefutureof<br />

business.Infrastratapredicts<br />

employing50apprenticesat<br />

Appledoreandmany<br />

businessesrelyonacontinuing<br />

flowofyoungpeoplewhohave<br />

developedtheskillsneededto<br />

meetfuturechallenges.<br />

Thisissuewefeatureateam<br />

ofstudentsfromPiltonwho<br />

achievedsuccessinanational<br />

competition,winning£10,000<br />

fortheirschoolwiththeirapp<br />

(page 14).<br />

Thenthereareyoungpeople<br />

whoneedextrasupport.Alex<br />

KellyhaslaunchedWayMakers<br />

(page 15)tosupportyoung<br />

peoplewithanxietyandautism<br />

tomakesuccessfultransitions,<br />

includingenteringemployment,<br />

whiletheLibraSchoolinSouth<br />

Molton(page 16)iscontinuing<br />

itssearchtofindemployersable<br />

toprovideworkexperiencefor<br />

itsstudentswithspecialneeds.<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

Robert Zarywacz<br />

Editor, Designer & Publisher<br />

t: 07971 176044<br />

e: robertz@business-action.co.uk<br />

@robertz<br />

Can your business help?<br />

Whatpartisyourbusiness<br />

playinginsupportingand<br />

encouragingtheworkforceof<br />

tomorrowonwhichwewillall<br />

cometodepend?<br />

MANUFACTURING<br />

WearegratefultoSueRoberts<br />

of Dymond Engineering,the<br />

metalworkengineerand<br />

fabricatorbasedinBarnstaple,<br />

forprovidingthecoverphoto<br />

forthisissue.<br />

Featuredinourprevious<br />

issue,DymondEngineeringis<br />

along-establishedNorth<br />

Devonmanufacturerlooking<br />

toembracenewopportunities<br />

thatCoronavirusiscreatingby<br />

shakingupsupplychains<br />

acrosstheworld.<br />

Thephotoisapowerful<br />

depictionofmanufacturing<br />

andwewantedtouseitto<br />

focusonNorthDevon<br />

businesseswhomakeactual<br />

products.Wedothisinour<br />

featureonTheClovellySoap<br />

Company(page 10),our<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>NorthDevon<br />

<strong>Business</strong>oftheYear<strong>2020</strong>,as<br />

wellasinourreportonthe<br />

imminentresumptionof<br />

shipbuildingatAppledore<br />

(page 20).<br />

Thebesttimetocapturethe<br />

attentionofnewcustomersis<br />

whendisruptionforcesbuyers<br />

toreviewtheirpurchasing<br />

practices.Coronavirushas<br />

createdthegreatestdisruption<br />

inlivingmemoryand<br />

thereforethebiggest<br />

opportunitiesacrossevery<br />

sector,ineverycountry.<br />

Manufacturersandother<br />

businessescantakeadvantage<br />

ofthisbystartingor<br />

increasingtheirexportsand<br />

InternationalTradeMatters<br />

providesexpertadviceforall<br />

businessesonhowtodoit<br />

(page 8).<br />

BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />

Remarkably,manynew<br />

businessesarestartingupand<br />

thisissuecarriesnewsofsix<br />

newbusinessesacrossNorth<br />

Devon.Readaboutthemand<br />

rememberthemwhenyouare<br />

makingpurchasingdecisions.<br />

Oneof<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>’s<br />

aimsistosupportallbusinesses<br />

acrossNorthDevon,newand<br />

old.Wedothisthroughregular<br />

newsinthisbi-monthly<br />

magazine,availableinprintand<br />

online,andthroughsocial<br />

media,aswellasthrough<br />

businessevents.<br />

Withthelooseningof<br />

restrictionsonevents,see page<br />

19fordetailsofeventswe’re<br />

planningacrossthearea<br />

throughoutthisautumn.<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 1

NEWS<br />

New farm shop at Atherington<br />

A North Devon farmhas<br />

appointedalocalbutcher,who<br />

cantracehisfamilybackto<br />

1066,torunitsnewfarmshop.<br />

DarrenManleyisworking<br />

withLilcottFarmownersJulie<br />

andMarkFranklin-Bakerto<br />

showcasethefarm’sown<br />

produceandotherlocal<br />

productsinLilcottFarmShop,<br />

inAtherington,Umberleigh.<br />

“I’vespentmywholelifein<br />

NorthDevon,”saysDarren.“I<br />

startedworkinginmylocal<br />

butcherswhenIwasjust12<br />

andsincethenI’veworkedin<br />

variousjobsinhospitality,<br />

alwaysinthearea.<br />

“Thisnewshopgivesme<br />

thechancetomanage<br />

somethingundermyown<br />

steamandworkwithsome<br />

greatsuppliersandproducers<br />

toofferafurtherplatformfor<br />

whattheydo.<br />

“Asasmallshopproviding<br />

thebestproduce,wecanoffer<br />

restaurant-qualityfoodata<br />

priceeveryonecanafford.”<br />

Localproductsstockedwill<br />

includepastiesandpies,<br />

chutneysandpickles,jam,<br />

honeyandeggs.Local<br />

beekeeperBrianSharpisalso<br />

Barnstaple-based financial<br />

firmPhilipJMilton&<br />

CompanyPlciscelebratingits<br />

35 th yearinbusiness.<br />

“35yearsagothismonth,I<br />

wassittinginthesmallupstairs<br />

officeinmyparents’homewith<br />

mysisteronaYouthTraining<br />

Schemeengagementthinking<br />

‘whatonearthhaveIdone?’”<br />

saysPhilipMilton.<br />

“Yes,PhilipJMilton&<br />

Company(subsequentlyPlc)<br />

starteditslifefromthose<br />

humblebeginnings,afew<br />

supplyinghoneyproducts<br />

gatheredfromcoloniesinSt<br />

Giles,NewtonTraceyand<br />

Atheringtonitself.<br />

Theshop’slambandpork<br />

areproducedonthefarm,<br />

whilegrass-fedDevonbeef<br />

andchickenfromnearbyBude<br />

helptoreducefoodmiles.<br />

Theshopisopenfrom<br />

TuesdaytoSaturdayandoffers<br />

Butcher Darren Manley at Lilcott Farm Shop<br />

freedeliverieswithina10-mile<br />

radiusofAtheringtonevery<br />

WednesdayandFriday.<br />

ForDarren,it’sachanceto<br />

developanewventurewhich<br />

supportslocalbusinessesand<br />

promotesNorthDevon<br />

producetothelocalareaand<br />

widerworld.<br />

“Wewanttore-investas<br />

muchaspossibleinto<br />

North Devon financial firm<br />

celebrates 35 th anniversary<br />

hundredsofpoundstomy<br />

nameandaBankingdegreethat<br />

Iwaspreparedtohawkaround<br />

LondonifIwasunabletomake<br />

asuccessoftheventure.<br />

“It’sbeenanexcitingride<br />

withmanyupsanddownsand<br />

we’vemetsomewonderful<br />

peopleandwonderfulclients<br />

overthattime,someofwhom<br />

havebeenwithusthroughout.<br />

“It’sbeenmuchhardwork<br />

andcontinuestobeso,butthe<br />

businesshasgrowntomany,<br />

greatstaffandthousandsof<br />

clientstobecomeoneofthe<br />

leadingindependentfinancial<br />

consultanciesintheregion.<br />

“Thankyoutoeverybodyif<br />

you’veplayedapartinthat<br />

supportingandpromotingthe<br />

communityoflocalsuppliers<br />

weworkwith.<br />

“I’mlookingforwardto<br />

workingwithJulieandMarkto<br />

developwhatwedohere–it’s<br />

gotgreatpotentialtoprovidea<br />

serviceforthebenefitofthe<br />

localcommunityaswellas<br />

peoplevisitingthearea.”<br />

MarkandJulietookover<br />

LilcottFarmmorethanthree<br />

yearsago,afterrelocating<br />

fromSouthDevontofinda<br />

differentwork-lifebalance.<br />

Thecouplehavedeveloped<br />

thefarm,whichishalftheway<br />

upthehillsidebetween<br />

FishleighBartonand<br />

Atherington,toincludea<br />

holidayhomeonsite.<br />

Juliesays:“We’redelighted<br />

tohavesomeonewithDarren’s<br />

experience,localknowledge<br />

andpassionforthearea<br />

runningtheshop.<br />

“Andwe’realsoreallyhappy<br />

tobeworkingwithsomegreat<br />

localsuppliers,usingtheshop<br />

asahubforshowcasingsome<br />

ofthebestfoodandproduce<br />

inthearea.”<br />

■ Details07494858806or<br />

facebook.com/lilcottfarmshop<br />

journeyandcontinuetodoso.”<br />

Thecompanyhasnotbeen<br />

abletoholdaformal<br />

celebrationoftheanniversary<br />

andwillconsiderwhatoptions<br />

areavailableinthefuture.<br />

PhilipJMilton&Company<br />

Plcnowemploysateamof29<br />

andmanagesfundsofmore<br />

than£160million.Itwasalso<br />

theheadlinesponsorofthe<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>Awards<strong>2020</strong>.<br />

■ Details01271344300or<br />

miltonpj.net<br />

2 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

£750K scheme gives<br />

small business grants<br />

FurtherGovernmentsupport<br />

forsmallandmedium-sized<br />

businessesisbeingmade<br />

availablethroughtheHeartof<br />

theSouthWestGrowthHub’s<br />

GrowthSupportKickstart<br />

GrantScheme.<br />

Thiscomprisesafundof<br />

almost£750,000with£336,314<br />

earmarkedforthetourism<br />

sectorand£411,050for<br />

remainingeligiblebusinesses.<br />

Grantsofbetween£1,000and<br />

£3,000willbeofferedtoenable<br />

asmanybusinessesaspossible<br />

tobenefit.<br />

Grantsofferedwillcover<br />

100%ofeligiblecosts,which<br />

canincludespecialconsultancy<br />

andminoritemsthatarean<br />

adaptionoradoptionofnew<br />

technologythatsupportsthe<br />

day-to-dayoperationofthe<br />

applicantbusiness.<br />

Asgrantscanbeusedto<br />

purchasegoodsand/or<br />

services,applicantsmust<br />

providedetailedquotationsfor<br />

everythingtheyintendto<br />

purchase,includingscreenshots<br />

ofcatalogueitemsand<br />

confirmationofavailability.This<br />

istojustifythetotalamount<br />

requestedineachapplication.<br />

Allitemsandactivitiesmustbe<br />

deliveredwithin90daysof<br />

grantsbeingapproved.<br />

NorthDevonbusinesses<br />

withfewerthan250employees<br />

areeligibletoapply,subjectto<br />

theconditionsontheGrowth<br />

Hubwebsite.Applications<br />

cannotbeacceptedfromthe<br />

followingsectors:fisheriesand<br />

aquaculture;processingand<br />

marketingofagricultural<br />

products;shipbuilding; schools<br />

/schoolageeducational<br />

establishments; insurance<br />

companies;primary<br />

production,coalorsteel,<br />

syntheticfibres;orbanking.<br />

■ Fulldetailsandapplications<br />

atheartofswgrowthhub.co.uk<br />

HEADER NEWS<br />

Boris supports charity campaign<br />

PrimeMinisterBorisJohnson<br />

hassignedarugbyball<br />

designedbyRyanMahajan,<br />

whosefamilyownAramis<br />

RugbyinSouthMolton,to<br />

raisemoneyfortheOverand<br />

AbovecharityandNorth<br />

DevonHospice.<br />

Asdetailedinourprevious<br />

issue,10-year-oldRyancame<br />

upwiththeconceptforthe<br />

fund-raisingrugbyballand<br />

kit.100%ofthepriceofeach<br />

itemsoldispassedontothe<br />

charitiesbyAramisRugby.<br />

SelaineSaxby,NorthDevon<br />

MP,tooktheballandotherkit<br />

toWestminsterwherethePM<br />

andotherMPshavesigned<br />

them.Theitemswillbe<br />

auctionedtoraisemoneyfor<br />

thecharitiesatafuturedate.<br />

■ Youcansupportthese<br />

causesbybuyingthespecial<br />

rugbyballsandclothingfrom<br />

aramisrugby.co.uk/charity<br />

Northam hairdresser keen to cut<br />

Northam hairdresserSandra<br />

Ramsayhadjustopenedher<br />

dreamsalon,UrbanWaveHair,<br />

whenlockdownstruck.After<br />

suchgreatexcitement,then<br />

disappointment,Sandrais<br />

happytobewelcomingback<br />

clientstoherForeStreetsalon.<br />

“Ifellinlovewith<br />

hairdressing25yearsagoand<br />

havebeeninthebusinessever<br />

since,”saysSandra.<br />

“I’veneverappreciatedmy<br />

jobsomuchuntilIcouldn'tdo<br />

it.I’vealwayslovedthework,<br />

butevenmoresonow.Thefact<br />

thatpeoplehavebeenhappyto<br />

comebackisreallyrewarding.<br />

Infact,Iamfullybookeduntil<br />

September,whichIamvery<br />

gratefultomyloyalclientsfor.I<br />

lovetheamazingpeopleIgetto<br />

meetandnowI’mlooking<br />

forwardtocontinuingmy<br />

journeyinNortham,whichis<br />

anamazingplaceandsoarethe<br />

peopleinDevon.I’mvery<br />

lucky."<br />

SandraachievedanA+in<br />

hertrainingqualificationsand<br />

continuestotrainwhennew<br />

coursesbecomeavailable,<br />

ensuringshecanofferall<br />

aspectsofhairdressingformen<br />

andwomen.Sheisalsoafully<br />

trainedbarber,trichologistand<br />

anadvancedbridalstylist.As<br />

wellasrunningherownsalon,<br />

Sandrahasalsotrainedmany<br />

advancedhairdressingstudents<br />

atPetroc.<br />

Sandraparticipatedinthe<br />

BARBICIDE®COVID-19<br />

CertificationCourse,<br />

recognisedintheindustryas<br />

demonstratingdedicationto<br />

infectioncontrolinsalons,spas<br />

andbarbershops.<br />

■ Details07494468318or<br />

urban-wave.business.site<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 3

NEWS<br />

General & specialist auctions<br />

Online & at our Bideford auction house<br />

House clearance<br />

Valuations & probates service<br />

01237 471 955<br />

torridgeauctions.co.uk<br />

The Kit Heath brand,renowned<br />

foritsGreatBritishdesignand<br />

elegantsterlingsilverjewellery,<br />

haspartneredwithMichelle<br />

GriffithRobinsonOLY,who<br />

willberepresentingits<br />

collectionsonsocialmedia.<br />

“Michellerelocatedandis<br />

nowbasedinNorthDevon,<br />

whichisourhome,”explains<br />

KitHeathcreativedirector<br />

KatieNickell.<br />

“SheisanOlympian,life<br />

coach,mentor,trainer,wifeand<br />

motherofthreebeautiful<br />

children.Sheisalsoan<br />

ambassadorforDiabetesUK<br />

andworkswiththeDameKelly<br />

HolmesTrust,aswellasbeing<br />

thematriarchofthe‘FitFamily<br />

Robinson’.So,inshort,she’sa<br />

veryimpressivelady.<br />

“Sheembodiesthevaluesof<br />

theprofessional‘KitHeath<br />

Jewellery brand goes Olympic<br />

Olympic style: (from left) Kit Heath with Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY<br />

Woman’and,what’smore,she<br />

wearsitallverywell.”<br />

Michellewasthefirstwoman<br />

tojumpover14metresinthe<br />

CommonwealthGamesand<br />

representedGreatBritainfor<br />

twodecadesasatriplejumper,<br />

competingatthehighestlevel,<br />

includingatthe1996Olympic<br />

GamesinAtlanta.Now,she<br />

inspiresotherstoachievetheir<br />

dreamsandknowsthatmaking<br />

timeforself-careandwellbeing<br />

isanintegralpartoflivinga<br />

healthy,balancedlifestyle.<br />

“Iamreallylookingforward<br />

torepresentingaBritishbrand<br />

andtowearingstatementKit<br />

Heathprofilesinmy<br />

professionalcapacityand<br />

enjoyingtheirmorerelaxed,<br />

understatedpiecesinmyfamily<br />

time,”saysMichelle.<br />

“PartofthereasonKitHeath<br />

jewelleryappealstomeisthatit<br />

isnotbasedondisposable,fast<br />

fashion.Itisbeautifulquality<br />

andIamalreadythinking<br />

abouthowIcanlayerandstyle<br />

ittoreflectmypersonality.<br />

Theirpieceshaveatimeless<br />

elegancewithdistinctive,<br />

confidentstylingthatIlove.”<br />

Michelle’szestforlife,<br />

compassionandintegrityare<br />

whatattractedKitHeathtoher.<br />

■ Details01271329123or<br />

kitheath.com<br />

<strong>Business</strong> support web sites<br />

Government <strong>Business</strong> Support web site<br />

Dedicated web site detailing general government business support<br />

businesssupport.gov.uk<br />

Government Covid <strong>Business</strong> Support web site<br />

Dedicated web site detailing government Covid business support<br />

gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support<br />

Government Guidance for businesses<br />

Government updates on its support for business<br />

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

Devon County Council<br />

The Devon County Council Coronavirus business support pages<br />

devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/<br />

Heart of the South West Growth Hub<br />

<strong>Business</strong>-focused information for businesses in Devon and Somerset<br />

devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/<br />

North Devon Council<br />

North Devon Council Coronavirus business support pages<br />

northdevon.gov.uk/business/business-support-and-grants/<br />

coronavirus-support-for-businesses/<br />

Torridge District Council<br />

Torridge Devon Council Coronavirus business support pages<br />

torridge.gov.uk/businesshelp<br />

4 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

ACCOUNTANTS<br />

Cranford <strong>Business</strong> Services<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 07896 204857<br />

w: accountsindevon.co.uk<br />

Gareth Pollard Accountancy Services<br />

Holsworthy<br />

t: 01409 254817<br />

w: garethpollardaccountancy<br />

services.com<br />

Glover Stanbury<br />

Barnstaple & Bideford<br />

t: 01271 375271 / 01237 471881<br />

w: gloverstanbury.co.uk<br />

ARCHITECTS<br />

Sam Nolan RIBA Architect<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 325 236<br />

w: northdevonarchitects.com<br />

AUCTIONEERS<br />

Torridge Auctions<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 471955<br />

w: torridgeauctions.co.uk<br />

BRANDING & DESIGN<br />

BrandLanterns<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 372620<br />

w: brandlanterns.co.uk<br />

BREWERY<br />

GT Ales<br />

Chivenor<br />

t: 01271 267420<br />

w: gtales.co.uk<br />

BUILDING SUPPLIES<br />

RGB Building Supplies<br />

Branches in Barnstaple, Bideford,<br />

Hatherleigh, Holsworthy,<br />

Ilfracombe, Okehampton, South<br />

Molton, Tiverton<br />

w: rgbltd.co.uk<br />

BUSINESS ADVISORS<br />

Susie Kevern<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 07801 199671<br />

w: poundlane.co.uk<br />

BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />

Be Ready Employer Hub<br />

Devon<br />

t: 01392 241124<br />

w: readydevon.org.uk<br />

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY<br />

James Doble Commercial<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01237 424053<br />

w: jd-commercial.co.uk<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

Advanced Scaffolding<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 321100<br />

w: advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk<br />

COPIERS & PRINTERS<br />

Clarity Copiers North Devon<br />

Barnstaple & North Devon<br />

t: 01237 374061<br />

w: claritynorthdevon.co.uk<br />

COPYWRITING &<br />

COMMUNICATIONS<br />

Zarywacz<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 879100<br />

w: z2z.com<br />

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY<br />

North Devon Counselling<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 07872 501606<br />

w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk<br />

DIRECTORY<br />

Listings £30 for 12 months<br />

DINING<br />

Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 863482<br />

w: terracetapasbar.co.uk<br />

The Royal George<br />

Appledore<br />

t: 01237 424 138<br />

w: trgpub.co.uk<br />

FINANCIAL ADVISERS<br />

D Scott Financial<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 426450<br />

w: dscottfinancial.co.uk<br />

Philip J Milton & Co Plc<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 344300<br />

w: miltonpj.net<br />

GARDENING & LANDSCAPING<br />

AB SEA Services<br />

Torrington<br />

t: 07799 478318<br />

w: abseaservices.com<br />

HEALTH & FITNESS<br />

Kula Fitness Studio<br />

Ilfracombe High Street<br />

t: 07923 142457<br />

w: kulafitness.co.uk<br />

HEALTH & SAFETY<br />

Safety Supplies Direct<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 377558<br />

w: safetysuppliesdirect.co.uk<br />

HOLIDAY COTTAGES<br />

Marsdens Devon Cottages<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01271 813777<br />

w: marsdens.co.uk<br />

HOTELS<br />

The Carlton<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 862446<br />

w: ilfracombecarlton.co.uk<br />

HUMAN RESOURCES<br />

Fitzgerald HR<br />

Barnstaple, Exeter, London &<br />

Wellington<br />

t: 01271 859267<br />

w: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk<br />

HYPNOTHERAPY<br />

New Life Hypnotherapy<br />

South Molton<br />

t: 01769 57471<br />

w: newlifehypnotherapy.org<br />

INSURANCE<br />

Together Insurance Solutions<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 347147<br />

w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk<br />

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUPPORT<br />

International Trade Matters Ltd<br />

Bampton<br />

t: 01398 332881<br />

w: internationaltradematters.com<br />

LOCKSMITHS<br />

MJS Locksmith<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 07532 139388<br />

w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk<br />

SW Locksmiths<br />

Holsworthy / Bude<br />

t: 01409 255533<br />

w: swlocksmiths.com<br />

MANUFACTURERS<br />

The Clovelly Soap Company<br />

Clovelly<br />

t: 01237 432280<br />

w: theclovellysoapcompany.com<br />

NETWORKING GROUPS<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Networking in Barnstaple<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 0843 289 1339<br />

w: bnibarnstaple.co.uk<br />

Devon Partnerships<br />

Devon<br />

t: 07393 149855<br />

w: devonpartnerships.co.uk<br />

North Devon Networking Group<br />

Barnstaple<br />

w: northdevonnetworking.co.uk<br />

Rise<br />

Barnstaple<br />

e: martin@duchyifa.co.uk<br />

Torridge <strong>Business</strong> Network<br />

Westward Ho!<br />

w: torridgebusinessnetwork.co.uk<br />

OFFICE SUPPLIES<br />

South West Office Supplies<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 01271 889337<br />

w: swofficesupplies.co.uk<br />

BOOK YOUR £30 LISTING NOW AT needitfindit.uk<br />

➤ Listinginsixissuesof<br />

magazinewithbusiness<br />

nameandcategory,phone<br />

number,websiteandtown.<br />

➤ 12-monthonlinelistingat<br />

needitfindit.ukNorth<br />

Devon<strong>Business</strong>Directory<br />

withbusinessnameand<br />

category,logo,phone<br />

number,address,linksto<br />

websiteandsocialmedia,<br />

descriptionandlogo.<br />

➤ 6issuesofmagazinemailed<br />

directtoyourUKaddress.<br />

Need it<br />

Find it<br />

PACKAGING<br />

Atlas Packaging<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 344055<br />

w: atlaspackaging.co.uk<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

Tarkatography<br />

Westward Ho!<br />

t: 07977 414798<br />

w: tarkatography.co.uk<br />

PRINTING<br />

Jamaica Press<br />

Buckland Brewer<br />

t: 01237 452333<br />

w: jamaicapress.co.uk<br />

RECRUITMENT<br />

Cooper Golding<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 349745<br />

w: coopergolding.co.uk<br />

Simple Recruitment<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 439500<br />

w: simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk<br />

RETAILERS<br />

Darlings Natural Health<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 867775<br />

w: darlingsnaturalhealth.com<br />

Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium<br />

Ilfracombe<br />

t: 01271 867193<br />

w: ilfracombechocolateemporium.co.uk<br />

SHEDS<br />

SHEDS 4 you<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 459193<br />

w: sheds4you.co.uk<br />

SIGNS<br />

The Sign Maker<br />

High Bickington<br />

t: 01769 561355<br />

w: sign-maker.net<br />

SOLICITORS<br />

Slee Blackwell Solicitors<br />

Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton,<br />

South Molton<br />

t: 0808 139 1606<br />

w: sleeblackwell.co.uk<br />

TELECOMS<br />

Zero7<br />

Barnstaple<br />

t: 01271 370707<br />

w: zr7.co<br />

TRAVEL AGENTS<br />

Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors<br />

North Devon & UK<br />

t: 01271 828990<br />

w: travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint<br />

WEB SITES & DIGITAL<br />

Itseeze North Devon<br />

North Devon<br />

t: 07890 633458<br />

w: itseeze-northdevon.co.uk<br />

Peak Online<br />

Bideford<br />

t: 01237 721256<br />

w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com<br />

WELDING & SANDBLASTING<br />

Nott’s Welding<br />

Ilfracombe & North Devon<br />

t: 07706 595955<br />

WILLS<br />

Wills at Home<br />

West Yelland<br />

t: 01271 860105<br />

w: wills-athome.co.uk<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 5

A new Ilfracombe brewery<br />

hasrecommencedbrewing<br />

sinceclosingforlockdownon<br />

thedayafteritsfirstbrew.<br />

CombeBrewingCompany<br />

wasstartedbyRichardand<br />

MichelleGoldsmith,drawing<br />

onRichard’sconsiderable<br />

experienceinthewinetrade<br />

andMichelle’sbusiness<br />

knowledgeasabookkeeper.<br />

Michellesaysthecouple,<br />

whopreviouslylivedin<br />

Buckinghamshire,weredrawn<br />

toNorthDevonbythefeeling<br />

ofcommunity:“Richardknows<br />

pubsandrestaurantsand<br />

enjoyssellingtothem.The<br />

tradehadlostthatlovelyfeeling<br />

whenyousitdownandtalkto<br />

customersandhadbecometoo<br />

corporate.Thereisstillmuchof<br />

thathereandRichardenjoys<br />

sellingagain.”<br />

Theyhadbeenconsidering<br />

whatbusinesstorunforalong<br />

timeandwhentheysawthe<br />

breweryopportunityon<br />

Mullacott<strong>Business</strong>Park,<br />

thoughtitwasideal.They<br />

developedthebusinessfrom<br />

scratchandlaunchedinMarch<br />

<strong>2020</strong>,justbeforelockdown.<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

ILFRACOMBE<br />

Interest in collectable sneakers inspires<br />

new high street shop<br />

Iftherewereanydoubtasto<br />

theingenuityofNorthDevon<br />

businessowners,Covidhas<br />

demonstratedtheadaptability<br />

ofmanyofthesharpbusiness<br />

mindshere.<br />

WhenNicandValerie<br />

Watershadtoclosetheirpub<br />

inIlfracombeforlockdown,<br />

theydecidedtheyneededa<br />

secondsourceofincome.Asa<br />

collectorofvintageand<br />

limitededitionsneakers,Nic<br />

startedsellinghiscollection<br />

andreceivedgreatinterest.<br />

“Localpeoplewereasking<br />

metosourceotherthingsand<br />

wefoundwecouldmakea<br />

living,”saysNic.<br />

Seizingtheopportunityto<br />

createabusinessthatbuysand<br />

sellscollectiblefootwearand<br />

clothing,Nicstartedsellingon<br />

his @kool_and_the_gang<br />

Instagramaccountandthe<br />

businesstookoff.<br />

“Wewerejustgoingtorun<br />

itonlineandweregoingto<br />

rentsomespaceoffafriend,<br />

butwewenttoseetheowner<br />

ofashopanddecidedtoopen<br />

New brewery bottles<br />

seaside cheer in beer<br />

“Wewantedahappylookingbeerthatremindsyou<br />

ofthesea.Wewanttosell<br />

Ilfracombeanditsbeauty.”<br />

Thisisreflectedinthe<br />

designsforthelabels,created<br />

byKarenFrenchofCombe<br />

Toons,anotherIlfracombebasedbusiness.<br />

asashop.We’venowgotone<br />

ofthebestshopfrontsonthe<br />

highstreet.”<br />

TheKoolandtheGang<br />

retailstorenowoccupiesa<br />

formerjewelleryshopwitha<br />

traditionalfrontagecreating<br />

animpressivewindowdisplay.<br />

Withnothingelselikeitinthe<br />

Thebrewery’sthreebeersare:<br />

➤ BeachBlonde,alight<br />

golden,citrussyale<br />

➤ Harbour,anamberbitter<br />

withamintyandcedarfinish<br />

➤ Dark&Stormy,apremium<br />

maltybitterwithafruity<br />

aroma<br />

Nic Waters with a selection of sneakers available from Kool and the Gang<br />

area,thestorebringsextra<br />

interesttothehighstreetand<br />

anotherreasontobrowseina<br />

real-worldshop.<br />

Aswellasnewandprelovedsneakers,Nichasadded<br />

acollectionofretroand<br />

vintageclothingtothestore,<br />

whichhewantstodevelop.<br />

Thesearepreparedby<br />

CarlyO’Callaghan,an<br />

experiencedbrewerwho<br />

lovesmakingbeer.All<br />

ingredientsaresourced<br />

fromwithintheUK.<br />

Aswellasbeers,the<br />

companysellsciderand<br />

applecidervinegar<br />

(includingthemother),<br />

whichRichardstarted<br />

makingbyhandbackin<br />

Buckinghamshire,aswellas<br />

specialitygin.<br />

Duringlockdown,<br />

RichardandMichelle<br />

preparedtheirCombe<br />

BrewingCompanycaravan<br />

inreadinessforpromotional<br />

eventsandfairs.<br />

Nowupandrunning<br />

again,Carlyisbusy<br />

brewing,Michelleis<br />

runningtheofficeand<br />

RichardisoutaroundNorth<br />

Devon,visitingpubs,<br />

restaurants,hotels,holiday<br />

parksandpubs,gettingto<br />

knowbusinessownersand<br />

introducingthemtoCombe<br />

BrewingCompanybeers.<br />

■ Details07973488409or<br />

combebrewingcompany.co.uk<br />

Itmightcomeasasurprise<br />

tosomepeoplehowmuch<br />

interestthereisinsneakers,<br />

especiallylimitededitions<br />

whichcanbe30ormoreyears<br />

old.Nicsaysthatsomerare<br />

editionscansellfor£25–<br />

£30,000apair,althoughhe<br />

aimstostocksneakersthatare<br />

moreaffordable.Thesecan<br />

includepre-lovedsneakers,<br />

whicharerefurbishedbefore<br />

goingonsale,andsneakers<br />

thathaveneverbeenworn.<br />

Therangeofcustomershas<br />

beenreallywide,withinterest<br />

from12yearsoldandup.Nic<br />

hasevensoldsneakersto<br />

customersintheir80s.<br />

KoolandtheGang<br />

demonstrateswhatispossible<br />

whenyoudiscoveranicheand<br />

developabusinessthatfillsit.<br />

Nicisreallypleasedwith<br />

theresponsetothebusiness:<br />

“It’sbeenreallygoodandwe’re<br />

morethanhappywithwhat<br />

hashappened.”<br />

■ Visit35HighStreet,<br />

Ilfracombeorinstagram.com/<br />

kool_and_the_gang<br />

6 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

ILFRACOMBE HEADER<br />

The proposed Ilfracombe Premier Inn as it would appear from Market Street – illustration by Arch-e-tech Design Ltd. Artist’s impression – for illustrative purposes only<br />

£6m Ilfracombe hotel a priority<br />

Along-standingschemeto<br />

buildanewPremierInnin<br />

IlfracombehasbeentakeninhousebyWhitbreadPLC,<br />

whichaimsto“movequickly”<br />

toprogressthedevelopment.<br />

“Planningpermissionwas<br />

previouslygrantedfora<br />

developertobuildanew<br />

PremierInnhotelonMarket<br />

StreetinIlfracombe,”saysPaul<br />

Smith,Whitbreadacquisition<br />

managerfortheSouthWest.<br />

“Unfortunately,the<br />

developerwasunabletodeliver<br />

thehotel.<br />

“TheMarketStreetsiteisin<br />

anexcellentlocationandwe<br />

wereverykeentobringa<br />

PremierInnhotelto<br />

Ilfracombe.Todelivergreater<br />

certaintyandsecuritytothe<br />

projectwehavepurchasedthe<br />

siteandwillbringitforward<br />

fordevelopmentourselves.<br />

“Aplanningapplicationfor<br />

theproposedhotelwas<br />

submittedtoNorthDevon<br />

Councilatthebeginningof<br />

August.Ifitisapproved,we<br />

willmovequicklytoimprove<br />

thederelictsiteanddeliverthe<br />

newhotel.”<br />

Welcome regeneration<br />

TheplanssubmittedtoNorth<br />

DevonCouncil(reference<br />

71793)detailtheproposalsfor<br />

the81-bedroomhotel,which<br />

wouldalsofeatureagroundfloorrestaurant.Thenew<br />

buildingwouldreplacethe<br />

currentlyderelictformer<br />

nightclubandbar,andbe<br />

situateddiscreetlyinbetween<br />

WilderRoad,runningalong<br />

theseafront,andIlfracombe<br />

HighStreet,accessedvia<br />

MarketStreetArches(see<br />

artist’simpressionsaboveand<br />

below).Hotelguestswouldbe<br />

withinoneortwominutes’<br />

walkofboththeshopsinthe<br />

HighStreetandtheseafront.<br />

Boost to town’s economy<br />

Initsproposal,Whitbread<br />

disclosesthatitswebsite<br />

receives125,000searchesfor<br />

accommodationinIlfracombe.<br />

Italsoestimatesthat,witha<br />

projected70%occupancyrate,<br />

itshotelwouldattract39,321<br />

additionalovernightstaysin<br />

Ilfracombeeachyearand<br />

generateanextra£1.6million<br />

ofvisitorspendingforlocal<br />

businesses.<br />

“Ourhotelsinseasidetowns<br />

likeIlfracombeperformvery<br />

well,attractingahighnumber<br />

ofgueststhroughouttheyear,”<br />

addsPaulSmith.<br />

“Theyalsohelptosupport<br />

thelocaleconomyasmostof<br />

ourcustomersvisitlocal<br />

attractionsandeatanddrink<br />

outwhentheystaywithus.”<br />

Local job creation<br />

Whitbread’splansstatethatthe<br />

£6millionschemewouldcreate<br />

temporaryjobsduring<br />

constructionandpermanent<br />

rolesoncethehotelopened.<br />

“Weexpecttocreate<br />

approximately30newjobson<br />

opening,withrecruitment<br />

focusedinIlfracombeandthe<br />

localarea,andsupportmany<br />

moreduringtheconstruction<br />

phase,”saysPaulSmith.<br />

The proposed Ilfracombe Premier Inn as it would appear from Wilder Road<br />

on the seafront – illustration by Arch-e-tech Design Ltd.<br />

Artist’s impression – for illustrative purposes only<br />

Theconstructionphase<br />

wouldbeexpectedtocreate55<br />

full-timeequivalentjobs,<br />

includingbothskilledand<br />

unskilledpositions,supported<br />

byofficestaffoff-site.<br />

Onceopen,thePremierInn<br />

wouldbeexpectedtocreatethe<br />

equivalentof20full-time<br />

equivalentjobs,bothskilled<br />

andnon-skilled,including<br />

frontofhouse,technical,<br />

housekeeping,kitchenand<br />

managementpositions.There<br />

wouldbeopportunitiesfor<br />

flexibleworking,shiftsand<br />

part-timework.<br />

Whitbreadstatesthatits<br />

recruitmentapproachistofully<br />

involveJobcentrePlusin<br />

recruitmentinordertotarget<br />

jobopportunitiesat<br />

unemployedlocalresidents.<br />

PremierInn’stargetisfor50%<br />

ofitsnewjobstobetakenby<br />

jobseekersnotinemployment,<br />

educationortrainingaged16<br />

to24-years-old.Asaresultof<br />

offeringapprenticeship<br />

programmesandmanagement<br />

trainingtoitsstaff,PremierInn<br />

establishmentsareableto<br />

recruit80%ofmanagement<br />

rolesinternally.<br />

PaulSmithverymuchhopes<br />

thattheproposalswillbe<br />

approved:“Wehopeour<br />

proposedinvestmentwillbe<br />

welcomedbythecounciland<br />

welookforwardtoworking<br />

withofficersaswemove<br />

towardsadeterminationdate<br />

intheautumn.”<br />

■ Detailspremierinn.com<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 7

EXPORTING<br />

HEADER<br />

Adapt, build and export<br />

The world is in flux rightnow.<br />

Uneasyrelationshipsbetween<br />

countriespreferring<br />

protectionismoverWTOrules<br />

areevidentanddisturbing.<br />

Thereisaclearconflict<br />

betweenthetenetsoftheWTO<br />

andprotectionismthatmakes<br />

foruneasyreading.<br />

HereintheUK,our<br />

economyandourfutureshave<br />

significantlyaltered.This<br />

pandemichascausedcountless<br />

challengesforcompaniesand<br />

employeesalike.Overlayingthis<br />

crisis,internationaltradershave<br />

toreactandadapttonewrules<br />

issuedbyHMGovernment.<br />

Thelong-awaitedBorder<br />

OperatingModelwasissued<br />

recently,providingaguideto<br />

howtheborderwiththe<br />

Mike CourtofInternational<br />

TradeMattersdiscussesthe<br />

optionsastheEUTransition<br />

Perioddeadlinehurtles<br />

towardsus,despiteother<br />

businessdelays...<br />

Asaninternationaltrade<br />

consultant,Ihavebeenasked<br />

manytimes,“howcanwe<br />

manageourbusinessafterthe<br />

endofthetransitionperiod<br />

on31/12/<strong>2020</strong>?”<br />

Three questions<br />

Ialwaysask:“Whatisityou<br />

wanttodo?”<br />

1. Doyouwanttotakeback<br />

controlofyourimport/<br />

exports?<br />

2. Doyouwanttotake<br />

advantageofsomecost<br />

savingprocedures?<br />

3. Doyouwanttoupskillyour<br />

workforce?<br />

International Trade Matters has provided export advice to<br />

businesses in North Devon and across the region for many years.<br />

Now is the time for many businesses to start or increase exporting<br />

– for some it will enable survival, while for others it can bring a<br />

wealth of opportunities. Linda Middleton-Jones sets the scene and<br />

Mike Court offers some practical tips<br />

EuropeanUnionwillworkafter<br />

thetransitionperiod,aswas<br />

thechangetopaymentof<br />

importtax–seegov.uk/<br />

government/publications/theborder-operating-model<br />

Wealsohadnoticeofduty<br />

reliefformedicalgoodsanda<br />

FinTechschemeforUK–Africa<br />

tradefocusingonthe‘Techfor<br />

growth’programme,designed<br />

toincreasefinancialservices<br />

accessinemergingmarkets–<br />

seegov.uk/government/news/<br />

tech-for-growth-designed-to-<br />

Iftheanswertoallthisis<br />

yes,thenthesearethesmall<br />

stepsyoucantaketoachieve<br />

thoseaims.<br />

Managing agents<br />

Toregaincontrolofyour<br />

import/exportcustoms<br />

proceduresyouwillneedto<br />

understandthatitisthe<br />

responsibilityofyourbusiness<br />

tomanagethirdpartyfreight<br />

forwarders,fastparcelcarriers<br />

orcustomsagents.Youwill<br />

needtoissuethemdetailed<br />

instructionsonhowto<br />

manageyourfreightattheUK<br />

borders.<br />

Bearinmindthatasof<br />

01/01/2021allshipmentsinto<br />

andoutoftheEUwillrequire<br />

someformofcustomsentry,<br />

evenifthereiszerotariffson<br />

increase-financial-services-<br />

access<br />

Nodoubt,moreareinthe<br />

pipelineorbeingissuedaswe<br />

write.Watchouttoofornews<br />

onafreetradeagreementwith<br />

Turkey.<br />

Itiscleartousat<br />

InternationalTradeMatters<br />

thatthereisanurgencyin<br />

gettingthiscountryselling<br />

overseas.Weneedtobevisible;<br />

weneedtobeactive;weneed<br />

tomeettheneedsofthenew<br />

worldorder.<br />

Trade with Europe from 2021<br />

thegoodsinquestion.<br />

Grants for IT<br />

Thenyouneedtodecideifyou<br />

aregoingtomakethecustoms<br />

entriesyourselfusinga<br />

softwarepackagethatlinks<br />

yourbusiness/stockcontrol<br />

systemtotheHMRCcustoms<br />

system.<br />

Therearestillgovernment<br />

grantstoenableyouto<br />

purchaseIThardwareand<br />

softwaretoachievethis,along<br />

withgrantstocover<br />

trainingacrossavarietyof<br />

internationaltradeand<br />

compliancetopics–upto<br />

£2,250pertrainee.<br />

Run a customs warehouse<br />

Ifyouhaveawarehouseon<br />

site,canyousavemoneyby<br />

Forsomethatmaymean<br />

diversificationand/oramove<br />

todigitisation.Itmaybe<br />

adaptingtosmallerorder<br />

quantitiesorevena<br />

repositioningofasupplychain.<br />

Itcouldbelookingatnew<br />

marketsorevenmakingsure<br />

youremployeesaretrainedto<br />

meetthenewchallenges.<br />

Whateveryourstrategy,now<br />

isthetimetobuildonour<br />

individualandcollectivesector<br />

strengthsratherthanfocusing<br />

onourweaknesses.<br />

Itistimeforustoreact,<br />

adaptandbuild.<br />

Inessence,thinkchameleon<br />

notdinosaur!<br />

■ Details01398332881or<br />

internationaltradematters.com<br />

convertingpartorallintoa<br />

customswarehouse?Ifso,you<br />

willsaveallimportdutyand<br />

importVATuntilyour<br />

productsareeithersold<br />

domesticallyorre-exported.<br />

Thiscanprovideexcellent<br />

cashflowsavingsinrealterms,<br />

givingyouanadvantageata<br />

timeofuncertainty.<br />

Youwillneedtoregister<br />

withHMRCandapplytorun<br />

acustomsspecialprocedure,<br />

whichcanbedonequiteeasily,<br />

butitrequiresdedicated<br />

proceduresforyourbusiness<br />

andstafftraining.<br />

Youwillneedtoregister<br />

withcustomsforsimplified<br />

customsprocedures.<br />

Four months to prepare<br />

Allthiscanbeachievedinthe<br />

lastfourmonthsofthisyear<br />

andInternationalTrade<br />

Matterscanhelp.<br />

8 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

Do you see your competitors<br />

everywhere?Whatarethey<br />

doingdifferently?Howcan<br />

youimproveyourvisibility?<br />

Sometimes,increasingyour<br />

visibilitycanbeassimpleas<br />

doingsomethinginsteadof<br />

notdoinganything.<br />

Somanybusinessesdonot<br />

takethelargenumberof<br />

opportunities–oftenfree<br />

opportunities–availableto<br />

themthatjustdoingsomething<br />

cangiveyouabigstepup.<br />

What holds you back?<br />

Itisparadoxicalthatbusiness<br />

ownerscaninvestthousands<br />

ofhoursand/orthousandsof<br />

poundsinbuildingabusiness,<br />

thensabotagethesuccessthey<br />

haveearnedbyshrinkingback<br />

inhorrorwhenofferedthe<br />

chancetopromoteit.<br />

Wheninterviewing<br />

businessownersfor<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>,Iconsciouslyfocuson<br />

discoveringwhatmakesthem<br />

tickandwhatmotivatesthem<br />

torunabusiness.<br />

Peoplelikereadingabout<br />

this.Moreimportantly,people<br />

buyfrompeopletheylike,so<br />

expressingyourpersonality<br />

throughyourbusinesshelpsto<br />

promoteit.<br />

Whatfrustratesmeishow<br />

often,whenthetimecomesfor<br />

aphotograph,manybusiness<br />

ownersvigorouslydeclinedue<br />

tofear.<br />

Now,we’reallvaintosome<br />

extentandIcontinueto<br />

mournthelossofmyhair,but<br />

itisessentialtohaveasenseof<br />

proportionaboutthis.<br />

Ifyourdreamcustomer<br />

offeredyouanexclusivesales<br />

contractsubjecttoyouvisiting<br />

theirofficetosignthe<br />

agreement,wouldyouturnit<br />

downbecauseyou’veamoleto<br />

therightofyournoseoryour<br />

waistmeasuresafewmore<br />

inchesthanyou’dlike?I<br />

suspecttheansweris:no.<br />

Sowhynotappearina<br />

photowhenyouneedto<br />

promoteyourbusiness?<br />

Admit your success<br />

Whenyourbusinessattracts<br />

enoughcustomerstobuyfrom<br />

youthattradingbecomes<br />

viable,you’redoingsomething<br />

right.Whencustomersreturn<br />

tomakerepeatpurchases,<br />

you’redoingalotthatisright.<br />

Doyourecognisethis?<br />

PUBLICITY HEADER<br />

Don’t shoot me!<br />

I’m only the<br />

business owner<br />

<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong> editor Robert Zarywacz has aways worked in<br />

communications, first in big corporations and now in Zarywacz, his<br />

communications partnership with brother Simon. While Robert<br />

recognises that there are many useful tools to help businesses<br />

promote themselves, what is most important is their recognition of<br />

their success and their confidence in talking about it<br />

Itisdowntoyouthat<br />

customershavesuchagood<br />

opinionofyourbusinessthat<br />

theybuyfromyouandit’sa<br />

bigreasonforyoutocelebrate.<br />

It’salsoanimportant<br />

sourceofconfidence,which<br />

youneedtorecogniseand<br />

acknowledge.<br />

Fear or modesty?<br />

Noonelikesabigmouthand<br />

it’sunderstandablethat<br />

businessownersfeelcautious<br />

abouttrumpetingtheirown<br />

success,butit’savaluable<br />

sourceofmaterialtousein<br />

yourmarketingandPR.<br />

Whenpeoplearelookingto<br />

Start promoting your business<br />

1. Acknowledge your successes to build confidence<br />

2. Recognise the store of material within your business<br />

3. Do it – either yourself or working with professionals<br />

buy,theywantassurancethat<br />

they’rebuyingfromsomeone<br />

whoknowswhatthey’redoing.<br />

Youcan’tdemonstratethatif<br />

youkeepyoursuccesssecret.<br />

Achieving balance<br />

Theansweristoachievethe<br />

rightbalance:youcantalk<br />

aboutyoursuccesswithout<br />

appearingtoboast.<br />

Somepeopleareconcerned<br />

aboutrevealingtoomuch<br />

personalinformationwhen<br />

talkingabouttheirbusiness<br />

andthisisavalidconcern.<br />

Iamoftenveryactiveon<br />

socialmedia,butI’venever<br />

mentionedthetimeI...andI<br />

neverwill.That’sbecauseI’ve<br />

setmyownlimitsonwhatI<br />

willtalkaboutandwhatI<br />

won’t.Youcandothistoo.<br />

Everyone’slimitswillbe<br />

different:setthemsothatyou<br />

feelcomfortable.<br />

A rich source of material<br />

Withlimitsset,you’llseethat<br />

youstillhavearichmineof<br />

materialyoucantalkaboutto<br />

promoteyourbusiness.These<br />

willlikelyinclude:<br />

➤ Yourbrandimagesandlogo<br />

➤ Yourreasonforstarting<br />

yourbusiness<br />

➤ Innovation–howyou<br />

deviseproductsorservices<br />

➤ Yourproductsandservices<br />

➤ Successes–onesaleisa<br />

successsoyouhavemany<br />

➤ Casestudies–howyou’ve<br />

helpedcustomers<br />

➤ Photosandvideos<br />

➤ Reviews–thanksfrom<br />

happycustomers<br />

Onceyou’veestablished<br />

yourconfidencetotalkabout<br />

yourbusiness,youcanuseall<br />

thesetoexpressyourbusiness<br />

‘personality’onyourwebsite,<br />

inblogs,pressreleasesand<br />

articles,onsocialmediaandin<br />

manyotherways.<br />

Promote with confidence<br />

Youcandothisyourselfor<br />

workwithcommunications<br />

professionalswhocan<br />

identifyallyoursuccessesand<br />

usethemtopromoteyour<br />

businesswithconfidence.<br />

Whicheveryouchoose,<br />

makesureyoudoit.<br />

■ Details01271879100<br />

orz2z.com<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 9

HEADER WINNER<br />

A winning<br />

The Clovelly Soap Company was<br />

named North Devon <strong>Business</strong> of<br />

the Year <strong>2020</strong> in the first annual<br />

<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong> Awards after<br />

winning the Made in North Devon<br />

award and being selected as a<br />

finalist in the Digital and Online Achievement Award. The business combines design and manufacturing of<br />

real-world products with successful marketing and both bricks-and-mortar and online retailing, not only<br />

locally, but nationally and internationally. It was this winning formula, exhibiting excellence in every<br />

aspect of business operations, that made it stand out as a worthy winner and an exemplar for all other<br />

North Devon businesses with ambitions for success. All this was rounded off by its ethics as a family-run<br />

producer of handmade products using sustainable natural ingredients.<br />

A successful businessneeds<br />

alotmorethanjustagood<br />

productorservice.Research,<br />

marketing,salesandefficient<br />

administrationareallessential<br />

toensuringthatabusiness<br />

establishesitselffirmly.<br />

TheClovellySoap<br />

Company’ssuccessaswinnerof<br />

the<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>North<br />

Devon<strong>Business</strong>oftheYear<br />

<strong>2020</strong>isanexcellentexampleof<br />

howthisoperatesinpractice.<br />

Birth of a business<br />

Thebusinesswasstartedby<br />

Barnstaple-bornSarahHarper<br />

in2004whenshewasworking<br />

inLondon’sfinancialdistrict.<br />

Afterexperiencingsome<br />

allergies,Sarahdecidedtostop<br />

usingmass-producedproducts<br />

andstartmakingherownsoap.<br />

Shehadbeengivenabookon<br />

soapmakingandwantedtouse<br />

traditionalmethodsandthe<br />

bestnaturalingredients,andto<br />

introduceotherstothe<br />

differencethathandmadesoap<br />

andskincarecanmaketoskin.<br />

ThisledSarahtoherquitting<br />

herjobandbecomingasoap<br />

maker.Shealsobecamea<br />

massagetherapistanddogwalkerwhileformulatingher<br />

firsteightsoaps,whichshesold<br />

atcraftfairs.<br />

Inadditiontomakingsoap,<br />

Sarahbeganteachingsoap<br />

making,addinganewbranch<br />

tothebusiness.<br />

Asbusinessprogressed,and<br />

followingthebirthoftheir<br />

daughter,Sarahandhusband<br />

Casiedecidedtomoveoutof<br />

Londonandtheymadethe<br />

movetoNorthDevonin2009.<br />

Rebranding and growth<br />

Thefamilyfoundtheideal<br />

locationforbothhomeand<br />

businessinClovelly.The<br />

renovationoftheoldvillage<br />

granaryprovidedsuitablespace<br />

forsoapmakingandforclasses.<br />

Thenewlocationalsoledtothe<br />

rebrandingofthebusinessand<br />

itsdistinctivenameasThe<br />

ClovellySoapCompany.<br />

Aswellasteachingsoap<br />

making,Sarahhasalsotaught<br />

businesscoursesandmentored<br />

othersoapmakers.<br />

“Gettingthebrandingand<br />

marketingrightisimportant,”<br />

explainsSarah.<br />

Expanding range<br />

Thebusinesshasalsoexpanded<br />

itsrangeofproductstoinclude<br />

handmadesoaps,moisturers<br />

anddeodorants,shampoos,<br />

bathproducts,amale<br />

groomingrange,petproducts<br />

andhomefragrances.<br />

Sarahiskeentosupport<br />

localmanufacturingandreduce<br />

relianceonimports,especially<br />

fromanenvironmentalpointof<br />

view.Thecompanyaimstobe<br />

“asenvironmentallyawareand<br />

responsibleaspossible”.Its<br />

naturalproductscontainno<br />

Sarah’s husband Casie joined her in the business<br />

harmfulchemicalsandarefully<br />

biodegradable,andit<br />

researchesingredientstoselect<br />

onlythosewhichcausethe<br />

minimumimpacttothe<br />

environment.Whilefamily<br />

memberstestproducts,no<br />

productsaretestedonanimals.<br />

10 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

HEADER WINNER<br />

formula<br />

Awards judge Vikas Mahajan of<br />

Aramis Rugby explains why judges<br />

selected the Clovelly Soap<br />

Company as North Devon <strong>Business</strong><br />

of the Year <strong>2020</strong>: “Along with the<br />

other judges I had a tough time<br />

deciding who the true winner should be. We deliberated long and hard over product mixes, brand<br />

positioning, marketing efforts and a host of other criteria before we all agreed that The Clovelly Soap<br />

Company was a truly deserving winner. The Clovelly Soap Company stood out because they seem to have<br />

ticked all boxes, especially the way they chose the business name and the brand, which resonates with<br />

customers as something truly made in North Devon. Plus the efforts that they have put into promotion<br />

and distribution, for me, was a very good deal.”<br />

Anotheraimistoensure<br />

packagingisminimal,plasticfreeandfullyrecyclable.Its<br />

soapsandcandlesarepackaged<br />

inFSCcertifiedpaper,<br />

producedintheUK,andin<br />

card,tinandrecycledglass.<br />

Thecombinationofits<br />

Sarah Harper, founder of The Clovelly Soap Company<br />

productdevelopmentand<br />

productionanditscommitment<br />

toresponsibleandsustainable<br />

manufacturingcontributedto<br />

TheClovellySoapCompany<br />

winningthe<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong><br />

MadeinNorthDevonAward<br />

for<strong>2020</strong>.<br />

Family business<br />

Aswellasgrowingitsproduct<br />

range,TheClovellySoap<br />

Companyhassteadilygrownits<br />

teamto14employees.Atruly<br />

familybusiness,Casiejoined<br />

thebusinessfull-time,while<br />

Sarah’scousinNataliejoined<br />

andnowhandlesmuchofthe<br />

companyadministration.<br />

Selling locally and globally<br />

ReflectingSarah’srecognition<br />

oftheimportanceofmarketing<br />

andselling,TheClovellySoap<br />

Companyoperatesmultiple<br />

saleschannels.<br />

“Weseethousandsofpeople<br />

inourshopeveryyear,”says<br />

Sarah.“Ourshopmanager<br />

Sharonhasgottheshop<br />

lookingfantastic.Sinceshe’s<br />

takenover,theshophasreally<br />

takenoff.”<br />

Withsomanytourists<br />

attractedtoClovelly,theshop<br />

introducesnewcustomers,<br />

manyofwhombuypresentsor<br />

goontoorderonline.<br />

Thecompany’sextensive<br />

onlinepresencecomplements<br />

theshopbymaintainingsales<br />

outofseason.Thisprovedvital<br />

forsalesduringlockdown<br />

whentheshopcouldnotopen.<br />

Aswellasitsownwebstore,<br />

thebusinesssellsviaEtsyand<br />

generatessignificantsales<br />

throughAmazon.Theseare<br />

supportedbyastrongsocial<br />

mediapresenceonFacebook,<br />

InstagramandPinterest.<br />

Thiseffectiveuseofthe<br />

internetwasrecognisedbythe<br />

TheClovellySoapCompany<br />

beingnamedafinalistinthe<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>Digitaland<br />

OnlineAchievementAward.<br />

Inadditiontodirectsalesto<br />

consumers,thecompany<br />

supplies60stockistsinDevon<br />

andacrosstheUKand<br />

internationallyinIceland,Italy,<br />

SingaporeandChina.Italso<br />

offersaprivatelabelserviceand<br />

providesbespokeproductsfor<br />

othercompanies.<br />

<strong>2020</strong> and beyond<br />

Sarahsaysthatwinningthe<br />

awardswasa“nicesurprisein<br />

themiddleoflockdown”.<br />

“Ican’tquitebelievewhat<br />

we’veachieved,”sheadds.<br />

Afterlockdown,theshopis<br />

openagainandTheClovelly<br />

SoapCompanyiscontinuingto<br />

developaftermoving<br />

productionintobiggerfacilities<br />

intheOldSchoolinClovelly.<br />

Watchoutformorenews<br />

fromthiswinningbusiness.<br />

■ Details01237432153or<br />

theclovellysoapcompany.com<br />

VISIT THECLOVELLYSOAPCOMPANY.CO.UK<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 11

YOUNG PEOPLE<br />

Appreciating autism in the workplace<br />

Increasing inclusivityisa<br />

statedaimofmanybusinesses,<br />

butoneofthebiggestbarriers<br />

toputtingthisintopractice<br />

remainstheperceivedrisks.<br />

Whatextraresourcesare<br />

required?Willitimpact<br />

businessperformance?Does<br />

thebusinesshavethe<br />

managementcapability?<br />

Asaresult,progressin<br />

increasingemploymentfor<br />

groupssuchaspeoplewith<br />

autismremainspainfullyslow.<br />

AccordingtoAmbitiousAbout<br />

Autism,fewerthanoneinfour<br />

autisticyoungpeopleaccess<br />

educationortrainingbeyond<br />

school,andonly15%ofpeople<br />

withautismbelieveemployers<br />

willofferthemajob.Only16%<br />

ofpeoplewithautismarein<br />

full-time,paidemployment,<br />

eventhough73%saytheywant<br />

towork.<br />

Additionalchallenges<br />

createdbyCoronavirussuggest<br />

thatintheshorttermmany<br />

businessescouldbecomeeven<br />

moreriskaverseduetodifficult<br />

tradingconditions.However,as<br />

anytrueentrepreneurwill<br />

acknowledge,riskwalkshandin-handwithopportunityand<br />

employerscouldfindtheymiss<br />

outonawealthoftalent.<br />

Potential for business<br />

Recognitionofthevalueoffered<br />

byindividualswithautismis<br />

thedrivingforcebehind<br />

WayMakers,newlyestablished<br />

byAlexKellytosupportyoung<br />

peopleaged14andabovewith<br />

autismandanxiety.<br />

WayMakersaimstohelp<br />

individualsmakesuccessful<br />

transitionstodeveloptheirfull<br />

potentialaswellastosupport<br />

organisationsinadopting<br />

Alex Kelly of WayMakers supports young people with anxiety and autism<br />

inclusivitypracticesthatunlock<br />

thehugepotentialthat<br />

employeeswith‘invisible’<br />

challengescanbringtothem.<br />

“Weallknowthatreaching<br />

fornewopportunitiesalways<br />

involvestakingrisks,”says<br />

Alex.“Butrisktakingcanfeel<br />

overwhelminglyfrighteningfor<br />

somepeople,sothebest<br />

approachistotakesmallsteps.<br />

“Throughmyyearsof<br />

leadingaspecialisteducational<br />

provisionfor11to16-year-olds<br />

withautismandanxiety,I<br />

becamewellpractisedat<br />

creatingbespokeplansofsmall<br />

stepsinpursuitofnew<br />

experiencesandopportunities,<br />

bothacademicandoutsidethe<br />

classroom.<br />

“Thisgentlejourneybegan<br />

withtheyoungsters’strengths,<br />

wishesandneedsandby<br />

listeningclosely.Theyneedto<br />

knowtheyhavesomecontrol<br />

overthedirectionandpaceof<br />

thejourney,andthattheroute<br />

canbechangedaccordingto<br />

theirneeds.<br />

“Sometimes,Ifoundthis<br />

wasthefirsttimeapupilhad<br />

reallyfeltlistenedto.Well,I<br />

lovehearingpeople’sstories<br />

andIloveputtingtogetherall<br />

thepiecesofthejigsawtohelp<br />

megetafullpictureofwho<br />

theyareandwhatdrivesthem,<br />

soofcourse,Ilovedthispartof<br />

thejob.”<br />

Putting it into practice<br />

Afterworkingwithanumber<br />

ofyoungpeoplemakingthe<br />

transitionto post-16education<br />

settings,Alexreflectedonall<br />

thechangestheseyoungpeople<br />

face,frommovinghouseto<br />

findingandchangingjobs.<br />

Understandingthatthese<br />

transitionssoeasilyfailwhen<br />

anindividual’sstrengths,<br />

wishesandneedsarenot<br />

consideredoracknowledged,<br />

Alexaimstoprovidethe<br />

supporttheyneedtomaintain<br />

progressthroughWayMakers.<br />

Practical business help<br />

Alexalsorecognisesthe<br />

concernsbusinesseshaveabout<br />

makingtheirowntransitionto<br />

achieveincreasedinclusivity:<br />

“Icanhelporganisations<br />

understandthescopeof<br />

autism,andadviseonhowto<br />

reachthosecandidates,playto<br />

theirstrengthsandtweakthe<br />

recruitmentprocesstoachieve<br />

realinclusivity.<br />

“Whilethese‘reasonable<br />

adjustments’tendtobe<br />

marginal,therewardscanbe<br />

huge,foreveryoneconcerned.”<br />

Adjustmentsrequiredfrom<br />

businessescanrangefrom<br />

adaptingrecruitmentscreening<br />

processes,toensurecandidates’<br />

trueabilitiesarenotpassedover,<br />

tosmalladaptationsinthework<br />

environment,suchaschangesto<br />

thelightingorpositionof<br />

workingareas.Communicating<br />

effectivelyalsoplaysabigpart<br />

inenablingautisticemployeesto<br />

workproductively.<br />

“Icandothelegworkfor<br />

businesses,makingsurethey<br />

understandthereasonsfor<br />

adjustmentsandseethevalue.”<br />

Alexlikestokeepintouch<br />

withbusinessestofollow<br />

individuals’progressandcan<br />

offerfurtheradviceand<br />

supportifrequired.<br />

“I’dlovetoseereal<br />

acceptanceandproactive<br />

supportwhenitcomesto<br />

neurodiverseconditionslike<br />

autism,notjustinNorth<br />

Devonbuteverywhere.”<br />

Withgreaterappreciationof<br />

autism,businessescannotonly<br />

improvethelivesofindividuals<br />

butalsobenefitthemselvesby<br />

takingonemployeeswith<br />

valuabletalents–allachieved<br />

throughmakingreasonable<br />

adjustments.<br />

AsAlexsays,“We’retalking<br />

aboutveryeasysteps.”<br />

■ Details07309563563or<br />

waymakers.co.uk<br />

Does your accountant...<br />

Listen to you and act on your needs?<br />

Cranford <strong>Business</strong><br />

Services Limited<br />

Explain your accounts in terms you understand?<br />

Arrange meeting at your convenience?<br />

www.accountsindevon.co.uk<br />

Old Stone, Cranford, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5QW<br />

07896 204 857<br />

Leaving you free to concentrate on what you do best!<br />

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darlingsnaturalhealth.com<br />

12 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

YOUNG PEOPLE<br />

Young people want to experience work<br />

Applying for jobsistoughfor<br />

anyone,butwhenyou’reatthe<br />

startofyourcareerwithno<br />

previousexperienceandyou<br />

haveadditionalneeds,itis<br />

exceptionallytough.<br />

TheLibraSchoolinSouth<br />

Moltonrecognisesthisandto<br />

supportitschildren,who<br />

displayemotionaland<br />

behaviouralproblemsand<br />

havespecialeducational<br />

needs,itislaunchingawork<br />

experienceprogrammeforits<br />

14to16-year-oldsinNorth<br />

DevonandWestSomerset.<br />

Libraisanindependent<br />

specialneedsdayschool<br />

dedicatedtothecareand<br />

educationofyoungpeople<br />

(aged5to18)whohave<br />

experiencedfailureorloss,<br />

oftenthroughadverse<br />

childhoodexperiences.It<br />

enablesitschildrentoachieve<br />

hugeacademicprogress,<br />

providingchallengeand<br />

opportunitytoempowereach<br />

individualtoachievetheir<br />

personalpotential.<br />

Barriers to employment<br />

Asifthechildrendonotface<br />

enoughbarrierstotaking<br />

theirfirststepstowardsthe<br />

worldofemployment,<br />

Coronavirushascreatedeven<br />

morechallenges.<br />

Thatiswhy,asweexit<br />

lockdownandstartreturning<br />

tonormality,theLibraSchool<br />

isappealingtoemployers<br />

wantingtosupportthe<br />

communitytoconsider<br />

offeringtheirchildren<br />

valuableworkexperience.<br />

£10 per hour payment<br />

Nurturingandsupportive<br />

employersandself-employed<br />

professionalsaresoughtfrom<br />

allsectorstoprovidehigh<br />

qualityworkexperienceand<br />

qualificationopportunitiesfor<br />

oneortwodaysaweek.<br />

Participatingbusinesses<br />

willbepaid£10perhourfor<br />

thetimetheyoungpeople<br />

spendwiththebusinessin<br />

recognitionofthetimebeing<br />

giventothem.Fullinduction<br />

trainingcanalsobeprovided<br />

beforeplacementsbegin.<br />

Toensurethesafetyand<br />

protectionofchildren,<br />

applicantsarerequiredto<br />

undergochildprotection<br />

screeningappropriatetothe<br />

post,whichtheLibraSchool<br />

willadviseoninadvance.<br />

Creating interest in work<br />

Likeanyonesearchingfora<br />

careertosupportthemselves<br />

throughlife,thechildrenneed<br />

stimulatingworkexperience<br />

inawiderangeoffields.This<br />

canrangefromworkingwith<br />

animalstofarming,cookery<br />

andworkingwithchildren,<br />

especiallythosewithautism,<br />

andtheschoolwillbepleased<br />

tohearfrombusinesses<br />

operatinginanysector.<br />

Childrenfromtheschool<br />

havecompletedsuccessful<br />

workexperiencespreviously,<br />

includingataholidaypark,<br />

whichincludedacombination<br />

ofgardening,maintenance<br />

andworkwithchildren<br />

throughthesportsteam.This<br />

developedarangeofskills<br />

frompracticalworkwithtools<br />

tolistening,teamworkand<br />

workingwithguests.The<br />

childrenthatarereadyfor<br />

workexperiencehave<br />

completedtheirtherapeutic<br />

journeyandareemotionally<br />

readytobeginexperiencing<br />

theworldofwork.<br />

Register your interest<br />

Whilecurrentrestrictions<br />

mightdelaythestartofwork<br />

placements,theschooliskeen<br />

todiscussopportunitieswith<br />

businessessothatchildrencan<br />

starttheirworkexperienceas<br />

soonasconditionsallow.<br />

Seetheschoolwebsitefor<br />

detailsoftheprogrammeor<br />

contacttheschooltoregister.<br />

■ Details01598740044or<br />

libraschool.co.uk<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 13

YOUNG NEWS PEOPLE<br />

Pupils’ app wins £10K for school<br />

A team of four pupilsfrom<br />

PiltonCommunityCollege<br />

havebeennamedrunners-up<br />

intheNationalLongitude<br />

ExplorerPrizeCompetition.<br />

ThemembersofTeam<br />

ADOA–AmeliaDapling,Alfie<br />

Hamley,DottyBaldaro,and<br />

OraNyathi–havealsobeen<br />

awarded£10,000fortheir<br />

schooltodevelopSTEM<br />

provisionafterdevelopinga<br />

navigationappforpeoplewith<br />

limitedmobility.The<br />

FreeWheelersappisdesigned<br />

toprovideaccessibleroutes<br />

usinganonlinemapthattakes<br />

intoaccountgradient,stepsand<br />

terraintoimprovethe<br />

individuals’independence.<br />

Thepupilsworkedremotely<br />

withexpertsandmentors<br />

throughoutlockdownto<br />

developtheapp.Theyalsotook<br />

partinalaunchtrainingdayin<br />

Londonandhavecompleted<br />

onlinetrainingontopics<br />

includingentrepreneurship,<br />

projectmanagementand<br />

communication.They<br />

developedtheirappusingthe<br />

onlinetoolMarvel.<br />

Whiletheteamhavehada<br />

greatexperienceparticipating<br />

intheproject,theywerenot<br />

Medal winners: (from left) Amelia Dapling, STEM coordinator Philip Goodland,<br />

Alfie Hamley, Dotty Baldaro, headteacher Graham Hill and Ora Nyathi<br />

expectingsuchsuccessandare<br />

veryexcitedtohavebeen<br />

namedrunners-up,<br />

PhilipGoodland,STEM<br />

coordinatoratPilton<br />

CommunityCollege,said:<br />

“EveryoneatPiltonis<br />

extremelyproudofwhatthis<br />

grouphasachievedin<br />

challengingcircumstances.<br />

Theyhavebeensodetermined<br />

andhaveshowngreatresilience<br />

andresponsibilitycreatinga<br />

fantasticproduct.”<br />

HannahPictonfromthe<br />

LongitudinalExplorerPrize<br />

Teamsaid:“Wearesoproudof<br />

yourteam’sachievementaswe<br />

couldreallyseethe<br />

developmentfromyourinitial<br />

applicationtoyourfinal<br />

submission,andjusthowmuch<br />

effortyouhadallputin.”<br />

AmeliaDaplingfromTeam<br />

ADOAsaid:“Oursolutionis<br />

crucialtoimprovingthe<br />

physicallydisadvantaged,<br />

elderlyornewparents’<br />

confidenceandlevelofoutdoor<br />

timeanditaimstomaketheir<br />

livessignificantlyeasier.”<br />

TheLongitudeExplorer<br />

Prize,organisedbyNesta<br />

Challengesinpartnershipwith<br />

theDepartmentfor<strong>Business</strong>,<br />

EnergyandIndustrialStrategy,<br />

supportsyoungpeopletolearn<br />

creativelyaboutSTEM<br />

(science,technology,<br />

engineeringandmaths)while<br />

honingimportantentrepreneuriallife-skillsnotusually<br />

taughtintheclassroom.The<br />

prizeencouragesentriesfrom<br />

youngpeoplefromacrossthe<br />

UnitedKingdomandfromall<br />

backgrounds.<br />

ItreflectstheBritish<br />

Government’sfirstever<br />

challenge300yearsago,which<br />

resultedintheinventionofthe<br />

chronometerbyclock-maker<br />

JohnHarrison.<br />

In<strong>2020</strong>,youngpeoplewere<br />

challengedtodeviseideasthat<br />

useArtificialIntelligence(AI)<br />

acrossfourthemes,basedon<br />

thegovernment’sIndustrial<br />

StrategyGrandChallenges,to<br />

helppeople:livelonger,live<br />

better,livetogether,livegreener.<br />

■ Detailslongitudeexplorer.<br />

challenges.org<br />

14 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

HOLSWORTHY NEGLIGENCE<br />

Accountancy practice expands<br />

after first year<br />

My journey in accountancy<br />

beganwhenIwas14.My<br />

originalcareerchoicewasto<br />

beanarchitect,butwhenI<br />

appliedformytwo-weekwork<br />

experienceplacement,noneof<br />

thelocalfirmsweretakingany<br />

students.MyDadsuggested<br />

accountancy,saying“people<br />

alwaysneedaccountants,”soI<br />

securedatwo-weekplacement<br />

atanofficemanagedby<br />

HolsworthylegendDave<br />

VaughanandIhavealways<br />

toldhimthatIblamehimfor<br />

makingitsoenjoyablethatI<br />

choseitasacareer.<br />

WhenIfinishedschool,I<br />

knewthatIwantedtogo<br />

straightintotheworldof<br />

work,soIwrotetothe<br />

companyIhadcompletedmy<br />

placementwithandasked<br />

themforajob.Theytookme<br />

onandputmethroughmy<br />

studies.WhileIcontinuedto<br />

workwithDave,Ilearnthow<br />

importantitwastohave<br />

‘peopleskills’aswellasahead<br />

fornumbers.<br />

Fastforward25yearsfrom<br />

thestartofmyworkinglife<br />

andafterworkingforthree<br />

largeaccountancypractices,<br />

I’venowbeenself-employed<br />

forjustover12months,with<br />

around150clientsonmy<br />

books,rangingfromfarmers,<br />

pubsandplanthiretotree<br />

surgeons,dogbreedersand<br />

Gareth Pollard is an established name in North Devon accountancy<br />

circles and after striking out on his own is celebrating his first<br />

anniversary by welcoming his wife, Laura, into the business. Here he<br />

describes what drives him and his experience running his practice<br />

A family affair: (from left) Gareth Pollard with son Elliott, already<br />

showing an interest in business, and wife Laura, who has recently<br />

joined the practice<br />

engineersandeverythingin<br />

between.Someoftheseclients<br />

havefollowedmefrommy<br />

previousemployment,butI<br />

amnowtakingonmoreand<br />

morewhohavefoundme<br />

throughmyadvertisingorby<br />

wordofmouth.<br />

Iundertakeanyaspectof<br />

accountsworkand<br />

throughouttheCOVID-19<br />

pandemicIhavebeenbusier<br />

thanever,offeringsupportto<br />

myclientsandlearning‘onthe<br />

job’abouttheCoronavirusJob<br />

RetentionandEatouttoHelp<br />

outschemesandanyother<br />

supportavailable.<br />

Withmyworkload<br />

increasing,Ihaverecently<br />

employedmywifeLaurato<br />

takeonmyadminand<br />

compliance,meaningIam<br />

abletocontinuetotakeon<br />

newclients.<br />

Workingfromhome<br />

enablesmetokeepmy<br />

overheadslow,whichis<br />

reflectedinmyfees.Italso<br />

meansIcanspendmoretime<br />

withLauraandoursix-yearoldson,Elliott,whoIwill<br />

soonbegintrainingasheis<br />

alreadyshowinganinterestin<br />

numbersandmywork.<br />

Throughoutmycareer,<br />

developingrelationshipswith<br />

clientshasalwaysbeen<br />

importanttomeandthisisone<br />

ofthereasonsIwantedto<br />

branchoutonmyown,because<br />

Iwasfindingthatthelarger<br />

accountancyfirmswere<br />

becomingfartooimpersonal<br />

andIwasn’tabletoengagewith<br />

clientsinthewayIwasusedto.<br />

Manyofmycurrentclients<br />

haveagreedwiththis,whichis<br />

whytheyhavesoughtmeout,<br />

ratherthanoneofthemore<br />

corporatefirmsofaccountants.<br />

Iwouldliketotakethis<br />

opportunitytothankclients<br />

oldandnewforsupportingme<br />

inmynewventure.<br />

■ Details01409254817or<br />

garethpollardaccountancy<br />

services.com<br />

Community supports town’s businesses<br />

A common themeduring<br />

lockdownhasbeenthedeath<br />

ofthehighstreetandtherise<br />

ofonlineshopping.Yetin<br />

manyofNorthDevon’s<br />

communitieswherealarge<br />

percentageofretailersremain<br />

independent,community<br />

supportforbricks-and-mortar<br />

retailisholdingupwell.<br />

PeteShepherdisthe<br />

proprietorofShepherd’s<br />

HardwareinHolsworthy,<br />

whichheopenedinresponse<br />

tolocaldemand.Heisalsoa<br />

towncouncillor,keento<br />

supportlocalbusinessesand<br />

thecommunity.<br />

“Wehavebeenabletoopen<br />

allthewaythrough.Itwas<br />

quiettostartandabiteerie<br />

seeingthetownsoquiet,but<br />

afterrestrictionseased,it<br />

startedgettingbusyagain,”<br />

saysPete.“Wehavebeenfairly<br />

busythewholetime.”<br />

Whilerestrictionshave<br />

impacteddifferenttypesof<br />

businessindifferentways,Pete<br />

saysthatmostbusinesseshe<br />

hasspokentowhohavebeen<br />

abletoopenappeartobe<br />

doingsatisfactorily.Anumber<br />

ofretailersarealsoinvesting<br />

inrefurbishmentoftheir<br />

premisesornewequipment,<br />

thankstogovernmentgrants,<br />

andarehopefulthiswill<br />

enablethemtoservelocal<br />

customersevenbetter.<br />

“Whenpeoplecomeinto<br />

town,theyaregenerally<br />

spending,”addsPete.“Many<br />

businessesarehavingabig<br />

pushonsocialmedia,whichis<br />

helpingpeopletodiscover<br />

theirlocalshops.”<br />

Thecontinuationofsuch<br />

supportforindependent<br />

retailerswillhelpto<br />

strengthenboththeeconomy<br />

andthecommunityasawhole.<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 15

RECRUITMENT<br />

Recruitment consultancy supports you<br />

Employmentisoneofthe<br />

biggestconcernsformany<br />

peopleas,forthefirsttimein<br />

recenthistory,theeconomy<br />

suddenlystopped.<br />

Withnobusinessimmune<br />

totheimpactoflockdown,<br />

evenrecruitmentconsultants<br />

hadtotakeaction.Simple<br />

Recruitment,whichopenedits<br />

BidefordofficeinJuly2018,<br />

closedthebranchtemporarily<br />

whilecontinuingtoprovidea<br />

virtualserviceforclientsand<br />

candidates.Theoffice<br />

reopenedfullyinJuly.<br />

ManagingdirectorJayla<br />

Wilcoxisnostrangertotough<br />

challenges,havingstartedthe<br />

businessattheheightofthe<br />

lastrecession.<br />

“Wehavetakenareallong,<br />

hardlookatthebusinessand<br />

theteamhasbrainstormed<br />

abouthowweworktogether,”<br />

saysJayla.<br />

Jayla’smaingoalwasnotto<br />

loseanyofherteamandthe<br />

businesshasemergedfrom<br />

lockdownintact,inthefaceof<br />

toughoperatingconditions.<br />

Simple Recruitment’s Bideford team: (from left) Sandra-Keatley Lees,<br />

Charlotte Heath, Karen Wraxton and managing director Jayla Wilcox<br />

WiththreeofficesinNorth<br />

Devon,Somersetand<br />

Wiltshire,Jaylaimmersed<br />

herselfinthehands-onday-todayrunningofthebusiness,<br />

givingherthechanceto<br />

remindherselfofwhateach<br />

memberoftheteamdoes.<br />

“Itgavethechancetolook<br />

atwhatwewanttoachieve,”<br />

addsJayla.<br />

“We’vealsohadbrilliant<br />

conversationswithbusinesses.<br />

Peopleseemtohavemoretime<br />

andit’sbeennicetotalkand<br />

gettoknowpeoplebetter.”<br />

Muchofthistimewasspent<br />

consultingwithbusinesses,<br />

someofwhichweredealing<br />

withemployeeredundancies,<br />

alongwithindividualswho<br />

hadlosttheirjobsandwere<br />

lookingfornewpositions.This<br />

ledtoprovidingtheSimple<br />

RedundancySupportpackage,<br />

workingalongsidecompanies,<br />

offeringcareersadvice,<br />

helpingindividualswiththeir<br />

CVsandestablishingwhat<br />

makesthemstandoutinthe<br />

employmentmarketplace.<br />

“That’swhatwe’reabout:<br />

helpingpeoplein<br />

communitiesandhelping<br />

themfindnewroles,”adds<br />

Jayla.“Wehaverevised,<br />

re-emphasisedandrenewed<br />

ourmessage.”<br />

Fromthestart,Jayla’saim<br />

hasbeenforSimple<br />

Recruitmenttomakethe<br />

wholerecruitmentprocess<br />

simple,bothforemployers<br />

andcandidates,andshe<br />

believesthisasrelevantnowas<br />

ithaseverbeen.<br />

Whilesomecompanies<br />

mightbetemptedtostart<br />

managingtheirrecruitment<br />

in-house,inthebeliefthatit<br />

canreducecosts,therealityis<br />

thattheywillneedextratime<br />

andresourcestoachievethis,<br />

withnoguaranteethatthey<br />

willfindtherightcandidates.<br />

SimpleRecruitmenttailors<br />

itsservicetoeachspecific<br />

requirementtospeedupthe<br />

processandensurethata<br />

company’sinvestmentin<br />

peopleissound.<br />

Itstartsbydiscussinga<br />

client’sneeds,wantsand<br />

expectations,thenidentifying<br />

suitablecandidatesfromits<br />

owndatabaseandthroughits<br />

expertiseinsifting<br />

applications.Italsohandles<br />

rejectionsandcandidate<br />

feedback,andhasaninfluence<br />

onthecandidates’decision<br />

making.<br />

TheothersideofSimple<br />

Recruitment’sroleisworking<br />

withcandidates,whoselives<br />

areaffectedmassivelybytheir<br />

searchforjobs.<br />

“Wealwaysrememberthat<br />

allcandidatesarepeoplewith<br />

families,”saysJayla,“andwe<br />

respectthepeoplewework<br />

with.”<br />

While<strong>2020</strong>mightnothave<br />

progressedasoriginally<br />

planned,SimpleRecruitment<br />

isnowmovingforwardswith<br />

renewedpurposeandhasjust<br />

launcheditsnewwebsite.<br />

Itiscurrentlyworkingon<br />

permanentandtemporary<br />

employmentsolutionsinthe<br />

industrialandcommercial<br />

sectorsthroughouttheSouth<br />

Westatalllevelsandwelcomes<br />

approachesfromnewclients<br />

andfromindividualsseeking<br />

helpwiththeirjobsearch.<br />

■ Details01237439500or<br />

simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk<br />

16 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

WINNERS<br />

Builders merchant’s twin campaigns<br />

RGB Building Suppliesis<br />

thankingtradesandtheNorth<br />

Devoncommunityfor<br />

supportingitsToolsforAfrica<br />

appeal,launchedinJanuary.15<br />

bulkbagsofprelovedtoolshave<br />

beendonated,whichhavebeen<br />

passedtoBarnstaple-based<br />

charityAmigos.<br />

Amigosworkscloselywitha<br />

UKcharitycalledWorkAid,<br />

whichwillnowrefurbishthe<br />

donateditemsandsendthem<br />

toAfrica.Thetoolswillbeused<br />

byyoungpeopletolearn<br />

constructionskillsandhelplift<br />

themselvesandtheirfamilies<br />

outofpoverty.<br />

For13yearsthecharityhas<br />

providedvocationallearning<br />

opportunitiesatKiraFarm<br />

DevelopmentCentreinUganda<br />

(picturedabove)whereyoung<br />

peoplecanspendayear<br />

acquiringlife-changingskills.<br />

Thisincludestrainingin<br />

carpentryandbuilding<br />

techniques,with98%ofthe<br />

graduatesgoingontofull-time<br />

employmentorstartingtheir<br />

ownbusiness.<br />

VioletMcKenzie-Pegg,<br />

branchmanageratRGB<br />

Bideford,says:“Welaunched<br />

ourappealbeforelockdown<br />

wasputinplace,sowe’re<br />

delightedwe’vebeenableto<br />

bringittoasuccessfulclose.<br />

Amigosdoesfantasticworkin<br />

helpingyoungpeoplelearna<br />

tradeandgainemployment<br />

andthisisthesecondtime<br />

we’veworkedwiththecharity.”<br />

RGBBuildingSupplies’<br />

latestcharityinitiativeisraising<br />

vitalfundsforDevonAir<br />

Ambulance.Thecompanyhas<br />

pledgedtodonate25ptothe<br />

charityfromthesaleofevery<br />

promotional‘bulkbag’,which<br />

areusedtotransportlarge<br />

quantitiesofaggregates,suchas<br />

sand,crushedstoneandgravel.<br />

LeeKift,branchmanagerof<br />

RGBBarnstaple,says:“We’ve<br />

createdspecialistbulkbags<br />

whichcarrytheDevonAir<br />

Ambulancelogo,andwe’dlike<br />

toencouragetrade,andretail<br />

customerswhoareperhaps<br />

takingonalandscapingproject<br />

intheirowngarden,tovisitus<br />

foraggregatesandhelpusraise<br />

asmuchmoneyaspossiblefor<br />

thecharity.<br />

“Inadvance,we’dliketo<br />

thankeveryonewhopurchases<br />

abulkbagandsupportsour<br />

fundraisingeffort.”<br />

■ Detailsrgbltd.co.uk<br />

Promote your business all year round with our<br />

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

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 17

Virtual PR: (from left) Rupert Janisch and wife Charlotte Janisch<br />

have launched Turn the Tables<br />

NEWS<br />

New PR agency goes virtual<br />

A former journalistismarking<br />

asuccessfuldecadeinbusiness<br />

bylaunchingavirtualagency,<br />

offeringremotepublic<br />

relationstobusinessesinthe<br />

SouthWestandbeyond.<br />

Sincethe<strong>summer</strong>of2010,<br />

RupertJanischhasprovided<br />

independentPRsupporttoa<br />

rangeofbusinessesinBristol,<br />

theSouthWest,theMidlands<br />

andaroundtheUK.<br />

Alongwithhiswife<br />

Charlotte,thecouplehave<br />

establishedtheirown<br />

successfulBristol-based<br />

companyoverthepastfour<br />

years,workingremotelyand<br />

travellingtomeetclientsfrom<br />

theirhomeinNorthDevon.<br />

Theyhavealsoestablished<br />

relationshipswithanumberof<br />

independentprofessionals<br />

whoofferarangeofservices,<br />

oftenonaremotebasis,from<br />

digitalmarketingandsocial<br />

mediatomarketingand<br />

communicationsstrategy,<br />

photographyandvideo.<br />

TurntheTables,thenew<br />

agency,willofferthepremium<br />

servicesprovidedbythese<br />

experienced,independent<br />

expertsbutwithnooverheads<br />

topassontoclientsinorderto<br />

fitthebudgetsofallbusinesses.<br />

Withremoteworking<br />

gaininggreateracceptance,<br />

Rupertbelievesthevirtual<br />

agencyisgrowinginviability.<br />

“Virtualworksjustfine,”<br />

saysRupert.“I’vedoneenough<br />

networkingandspokento<br />

enoughbusinessownersto<br />

knowthatthismodelhashuge<br />

appealandisnowbecoming<br />

increasinglyrelevant.<br />

“There’samassivemarket<br />

forqualityservicesat<br />

reasonableprices.Thiswayof<br />

workingcanopenupPRasan<br />

optionforthosebusinesses<br />

whoaredoinggreatthingsbut<br />

don’tgettherecognitionthey<br />

deserve,eitherbecausethey<br />

don’tbelievetheyhave<br />

anythingworthsayingor<br />

becausetheybelievePRis<br />

onlyanoptionforbig<br />

corporateswithhugebudgets.”<br />

■ Details01174033543or<br />

turnthetablespr.com<br />

Slee Blackwell Solicitors are an award winning,<br />

Legal 500 recommended practice. <strong>2020</strong> is our<br />

centenary year. We have come a long way in the past<br />

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Call 0808 139 1606 or visit<br />

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Why choose a chartered accountant?<br />

Nigel Bennett FCA,partnerat<br />

GloverStanburyChartered<br />

Accountants,explainswhy<br />

businessesneedtochoosea<br />

charteredaccountant.<br />

Mostpeopleareunaware<br />

thatbylawanyonecanoperate<br />

underthetitleofaccountantor<br />

taxadviserswithouthavinga<br />

formalqualificationor<br />

insurance,whereasachartered<br />

accountanthasundergone<br />

yearsofpracticaltraining,<br />

ethicaltraining,passed<br />

rigorousexaminationsin<br />

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auditing,businessstrategyand<br />

taxation.Butitdoesn’tstop<br />

there,asoncequalifiedthe<br />

trainingcontinuessothatyou<br />

keepuptodatewiththe<br />

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Althoughunqualified<br />

accountantsareboundbythe<br />

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theirclientsfullprotection.<br />

Theyarealsoboundtoacode<br />

ofethicsbytheInstituteof<br />

CharteredAccountantsin<br />

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andsubjecttodisciplinary<br />

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thatextrapeaceofmind.<br />

AtGloverStanbury<br />

CharteredAccountantswehave<br />

trainedandcontinuetotrain<br />

thosewantingacareerasa<br />

charteredaccountantandhave<br />

doneformanyyears;often<br />

thosewhohavestartedwithus<br />

asatraineehavestayedwith<br />

thefirmandworkedtheirway<br />

up,ashavemostofour<br />

partnersandmanagers.<br />

■ Details01271375271/<br />

01237471881or<br />

gloverstanbury.co.uk<br />

18 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

1. What was your first job?<br />

Hayhaulingforalocalfarm.<br />

2. What is the best<br />

business advice you’ve<br />

ever received?<br />

Haveahobbytohelpswitchoff,<br />

otherwiseitmayconsumeyou.<br />

3. What do you enjoy most<br />

about business?<br />

Meetingdifferentpeoplefrom<br />

alldifferentwalksoflife.<br />

4. What technology could<br />

your business never be<br />

without?<br />

Acalculator–Iuseitmostof<br />

theday!It’simportant forall<br />

aspects–sawing,tree<br />

purchasing,quoting,somany<br />

things.<br />

5. Describe your business /<br />

management style<br />

I’mveryrelaxed,possiblytoo<br />

muchattimes.Iliketowrite<br />

lists,butdon'talwaysstickto<br />

them.<br />

6. How do you go about<br />

personal development?<br />

Ireadalotinandaroundthe<br />

industry,andkeepaneyeout<br />

foropendaysetc.<br />

Opportunities for business<br />

promotionandnetworking<br />

havebeenscarcesince<br />

lockdownand,whilevideo<br />

meetingshavefilledagap,<br />

nothingbeatsface-to-face<br />

eventsforbuildingnew<br />

businessrelationships.<br />

IN THE HOT SEAT<br />

Tom Bedford of<br />

UK Hardwoods<br />

Each issue we put a North Devon business personality in the hot seat<br />

and ask them 10 questions. This issue we asked Tom Bedford, owner<br />

of UK Hardwoods in South Molton and winner of the <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Action</strong><br />

Young Entrepreneur Award <strong>2020</strong><br />

Promote and network in North Devon<br />

Toresetandrestartthis,<br />

<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>willbe<br />

hostingaprogrammeofpopupeventsacrossNorthDevon<br />

thisautumn,providing<br />

affordableoptionstoexhibit<br />

andfreenetworking.<br />

Eventswillbeorganisedto<br />

VISIT NORTHDEVONEVENTS.CO.UK<br />

7. Is there anything about<br />

yourself that you want to<br />

change?<br />

I’dliketobeabitmore<br />

organised,butwouldn’tweall?<br />

I’dalsoliketochangemyfeet–<br />

they’reabitodd.<br />

8. Social media: yes or no?<br />

Preferred network?<br />

Adefiniteyesifusedinthe<br />

rightway–Instagramand<br />

Facebook.<br />

9. How do you wind down<br />

when not working?<br />

Ienjoyreadingthenewsand<br />

kitesurfing–notatthesame<br />

time!<br />

10. Do you have a motto or<br />

favourite quotation?<br />

KBO–WinstonChurchill.<br />

(Lookitup,editor!)<br />

UK HARDWOODS<br />

UKHardwoodsisasawmillin<br />

DevonwhichusesonlyUKgrowntrees.<br />

Itspecialisesinproducing<br />

solidwoodflooringinoakand<br />

ash,andsellstocustomers<br />

acrosstheUK.<br />

UKHardwoodsisrenowned<br />

foritssignaturewideboards<br />

andittakesprideinbeing<br />

approachableand<br />

accommodatingtoallprojects.<br />

Italsosellsbeams,boards,<br />

lintelsandhasavastselection<br />

ofkiln-driedjoinerytimber.<br />

■ Details07809773492or<br />

ukhardwoods.co.uk<br />

complywithsocialdistancing<br />

andhygieneregulations.<br />

Watchonlineforevent<br />

locations,times,exhibitor<br />

costsandsponsorshipoptions.<br />

■ CallAlanWilliamson<br />

07970671192oremail<br />

events@business-action.co.uk<br />

Looking for independent financial advice?<br />

Call us on 01237 426450<br />

for a free initial consultation<br />

contact@dscottfinancial.co.uk<br />

https://dscottfinancial.co.uk<br />

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

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 19

With its historystretching<br />

backto1865,the£7million<br />

acquisitionofAppledore<br />

ShipyardbyInfrastratacreates<br />

thestartofanewchapterof<br />

shipbuildinginNorthDevon.<br />

Therebirthoftheshipyard<br />

hasabigsignificancenotonly<br />

forthelocalcommunity,but<br />

alsoforBritain’smaritime<br />

manufacturingsector,as<br />

demonstratedbyPrime<br />

MinisterBorisJohnson’svisit<br />

fortheofficialannouncement<br />

oftheacquisition.<br />

H&W(Appledore)Ltd,as<br />

thefacilityisnowknown,<br />

joinstheHarlandandWolff<br />

divisionofthecompany.<br />

Infrastrataacquiredtheassets<br />

ofHarlandandWolff(Belfast)<br />

inDecember2019asa<br />

separatedivisiontoitscore<br />

asset,itsundergroundnatural<br />

gasstoragefacilityat<br />

IslandmageeinCounty<br />

Antrim,NorthernIreland.<br />

Questionedonthetimescale<br />

fortheresumptionofworkat<br />

Appledore,Infrastratachief<br />

executiveofficerJohnWood<br />

says,“Weseeenormousgrowth<br />

potentialacrossourkey<br />

marketswhicharedefence,<br />

commercial,oilandgas,ferry<br />

andrenewables.Withinthese<br />

sectors,wewillbeofferinga<br />

completelifecyclemanagement<br />

solutionincludingtechnical<br />

design,fabricationand<br />

construction,repairand<br />

maintenance,in-service<br />

support,conversionand<br />

decommissioning.Globally,<br />

thereisanestimated£6billion<br />

pipelineofopportunitiesover<br />

thenextfiveyears,severalof<br />

whichwillbeidealforH&W<br />

(Appledore)Ltd.<br />

“Wearenowreadyto<br />

welcomeclientsbackintothe<br />

yard.Thereisahugepipeline<br />

ofpotentialopportunitiesand<br />

welookforwardtofinalising<br />

thedetailsofourfirstcontract<br />

sothatwecangettheshipyard<br />

fullyoperational.Inthe<br />

meantime,wewillbecarrying<br />

outroutinemaintenanceon<br />

thedockgateandothercritical<br />

assetsbetweennowandthe<br />

endof<strong>2020</strong>increasingour<br />

investmentinthisstrategic<br />

asset.Wearehopefulof<br />

commencingoperations<br />

towardstheendofthisyear.”<br />

Withregardtoemployee<br />

numbers,theInfrastrata<br />

MANUFACTURING<br />

Shipbuilding to<br />

restart in Appledore<br />

The return of shipbuilding to Appledore is welcome news, not just for<br />

North Devon businesses but for the entire community. Infrastrata<br />

chief executive officer John Wood provides answers to <strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong> editor Robert Zarywacz’s questions about the yard’s prospects<br />

InfraStrata chief executive officer John Wood is delighted to welcome<br />

shipbuilding back to Appledore<br />

grouphasthepotentialof<br />

employingover1,500people:<br />

800atH&W(Belfast)350at<br />

H&W(Appledore)and400at<br />

itsIslandmageegasstorage<br />

projectduringconstruction.<br />

Withinthesenumbersthere<br />

isapotentialforalarge<br />

numberofapprenticeships<br />

andthecompanyexpectsto<br />

seesome50apprenticesat<br />

H&W(Appledore)whenthe<br />

yardisoperatingatfull<br />

capacity.<br />

Inadditiontodirect<br />

employment,Infrastrata<br />

expectsthatforeveryfixedjobintheyard,therearelikely<br />

tobethreeorfouradditional<br />

jobscreatedthroughthe<br />

supplychainviadirect<br />

subcontractorsandmaterials.<br />

Itaddsthatthelocal<br />

communityandthestrong<br />

androbustsupplychainsarea<br />

keyelementofwhatattracted<br />

ittoAppledore.<br />

Intermsofstartingwork<br />

Inspecting the shipyard: (from left) Prime Minister Boris Johnson with<br />

InfraStrata chief executive officer John Wood<br />

onnewcontracts,theyard’s<br />

existingplantandequipment<br />

havebeenmaintainedand<br />

serviced,andwillbereadyto<br />

gobackintoactionattheend<br />

of<strong>2020</strong>,subjecttobeing<br />

awardedacontract.<br />

Johnadds,“Wehave<br />

identifiedover150vesselsin<br />

thesizerangethatissuitable<br />

forHarland&Wolff<br />

(Appledore)thatwillbe<br />

requiredtobebuiltoverthe<br />

next10years.Themajorityof<br />

thesevesselsaresovereignin<br />

natureinadditionto<br />

opportunitiesinshiprepair<br />

andtherenewablessector.<br />

Thereareasignificantnumber<br />

ofprojectsintherenewable<br />

sectorinagreatgeographical<br />

locationforHarlandandWolff<br />

(Appledore)thatareduetogo<br />

totendershortly.”<br />

Whilemostshipyards,both<br />

domesticandinternational,<br />

focusonthehugely<br />

competitivemid-market<br />

sector,InfraStratabelievesthe<br />

mostsignificantgrowth<br />

opportunitieslieateitherend<br />

ofthespectrum.<br />

“Withtwodrydocksin<br />

H&W(Belfast)eachat356<br />

metresand556metresin<br />

length,H&WBelfast<br />

comprisesthetwolargestdry<br />

docksintheUK,thesecond<br />

largestinEurope.<br />

“H&W(Appledore),onthe<br />

otherhand,withacovereddry<br />

docklengthof119metres,<br />

providesavitalassetforsome<br />

ofthesmallestvessels.There<br />

areveryfewshipyardsinthe<br />

UKthatcanofferthistypeof<br />

undercoverbuildingdockand<br />

repairfacility,”saidJohn.<br />

“Thiscombinationgivesusa<br />

securemarketpositionandthe<br />

abilitytoserviceawiderrange<br />

ofcontractsmoreefficiently.By<br />

leveragingbothyardswecan<br />

provideflexiblecapacity<br />

managementandeconomiesof<br />

scale,givingusanenhanced<br />

competitive-edge.Wehavea<br />

flexibleandadaptable<br />

workforceabletodelivera<br />

widerangeofcontracts.<br />

“AsAppledoresharesa<br />

similarlyrichmaritimehistory<br />

withBelfast,bothshipyards<br />

willbeworkingtogetherandit<br />

madesensetoexplicitlylink<br />

themandjointlycelebrate<br />

theirheritage.”<br />

■ Detailsinfrastrataplc.com<br />

20 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

WINNERS<br />

Family restores country house splendour<br />

Many business ideasremain<br />

undevelopeddreams,because<br />

theimmensityofthechallenges<br />

presentedcanbetoomuchfor<br />

peopletohandle.Ofallthe<br />

businessideasIhaveseen<br />

broughttolifein10yearsof<br />

reportinginNorthDevon,<br />

MoretonHallhastobeoneof<br />

themostambitiousandmust<br />

haverequiredextraordinary<br />

vision,faithandcommitment,<br />

writesRobertZarywacz.<br />

Ifirstbecameawareof<br />

MoretonHousethoughits<br />

@moretonhousedevon<br />

Instagramaccountandwas<br />

fascinatedbythevisual<br />

depictionofitstransformation<br />

fromderelictshelltoa<br />

welcominghome.Indeed,<br />

whenIpaidavisittoseefor<br />

myself,myfirstthoughtswere<br />

“whencanImovein?”.<br />

HelenandHarveyPhillips<br />

hadnurturedtheideaof<br />

restoringahistoricalproperty<br />

asafamilyhomeandbusiness<br />

formanyyears.Withtwo<br />

youngdaughtersgrowingup,<br />

theydecideditwastimeto<br />

settledowninEngland.<br />

Harvey’scareerintheoil<br />

industryhadtakenthemall<br />

overtheworld,whileHelen<br />

hadworkedasajournalistfor<br />

NewScientist.In2014,when<br />

lookingforasuitableproperty,<br />

Moreton House, near Bideford, is a grade-II listed Georgian country<br />

house that had been used by Grenville College until 2009. Since<br />

2016, the house has been home to the Phillips family, who are<br />

restoring it as a wedding venue and self-catering visitor<br />

accommodation. With an inviting and homely feel, the Phillips hope<br />

the house will become a much-loved part of the local community.<br />

Editor Robert Zarywacz paid a visit and marvelled at the restoration<br />

An inviting and homely feel at Moreton House. Photo by Anthony Lyons of<br />

Special Day Wedding Photos<br />

theyspottedMoretonHouse<br />

andweresurprisedwhentheir<br />

bidwontheauction.In2016,<br />

havinggivenuptheirjobs,the<br />

familymovedtoNorthDevon<br />

tobegintherenovation.<br />

HelenandHarveyadopteda<br />

hands-onapproachtothe<br />

project,butrelyonprofessional<br />

skillsformajorworks.Although<br />

newtothearea,theyfound<br />

localhelpquickly.<br />

“Ourchildrenwentto<br />

AppledoreSchoolsowegotto<br />

knowalotofbuildersand<br />

traders,”saysHelen.<br />

“We’vegotagreatteamof<br />

localguysandhaveworked<br />

exclusivelywithlocal<br />

tradespeople,”addsHarvey.<br />

Fastforwardto<strong>2020</strong>anda<br />

phasedopeninghasbegunwith<br />

fourself-cateringsuitesalready<br />

attractingguestsand300m 2 of<br />

eventspaceshortlyavailablein<br />

theMorningRoom,Entrance<br />

Hall,ClubRoomandDining<br />

Room,allwithaccesstothe<br />

gardens.Eventspacewill<br />

almostdoubleasfurtherrooms<br />

becomeavailableupto2024.<br />

Aswellasenjoyingthe<br />

relaxedatmosphereofthe<br />

houseanditsfiveacresof<br />

gardens,Helensaysthatthey<br />

wantvisitorstosamplethebest<br />

ofNorthDevonliving:“We<br />

wantpeopletocomeherefor<br />

anexperience.”<br />

Toachievethistheyare<br />

buildingrelationshipswithlocal<br />

supplierstosourceeverything<br />

fromfreshvegetablesandmeat<br />

toexperiencessuchas<br />

paddleboarding.<br />

Whilethebusinesswillrely<br />

onvisitorsfromoutsidethe<br />

area,Helenhopesthehouse<br />

willalsobecomeafavourite<br />

weddingandeventsvenuefor<br />

localfamiliesandgroups.The<br />

coupleareworkingtoinvolve<br />

children’sactivitygroupsanda<br />

localheritageproject,andare<br />

opentoideasthatwillinvolve<br />

thecommunitymorewhile<br />

maintainingtheheritage.<br />

Thereissomuchmore<br />

detailingMoretonHouse’s<br />

impressivetransformationatits<br />

websiteandonline,all<br />

expressingthePhillips’<br />

devotiontothehouse,their<br />

guestsandthecommunity.<br />

■ Details01237425519or<br />

moretonhousedevon.com<br />

Before and after: self-catering accommodation at Moreton House. Photo on right by Anthony Lyons of Special Day Wedding Photos<br />

@businessactionm | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business action 21

BUSINESS ACTION<br />

Need it<br />

Find it<br />

Advertise your business<br />

for £30 a year<br />

Our aim hasalwaysbeento<br />

providecommunications<br />

channelsthatareaccessibleto<br />

allNorthDevonbusinesses,<br />

regardlessofsizeandsector.<br />

Whileeditorialinclusionis<br />

free,weensurethatadvertising<br />

isalwaysaffordable.<br />

Withbusinessesneedingto<br />

promotethemselvesactively<br />

andcontrolcosts,wehave<br />

launchedour£30<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>Plantoprovidea12-<br />

monthlistingonour North<br />

Devon <strong>Business</strong> Directoryat<br />

needitfindit.uk<br />

The£30<strong>Business</strong>Planincludes:<br />

➤ 12-monthonlinelistingwith<br />

logoandclickablelinksto<br />

yourwebsiteandsocial<br />

mediaprofiles.<br />

➤ Listingintheclassified<br />

directoryofsixbi-monthly<br />

issuesof<strong>Business</strong><strong>Action</strong>–<br />

see50+listingsonpage5.<br />

➤ Sixcopiesof<strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Action</strong>maileddirectlyto<br />

youraddress.<br />

Yourlistingwillbeseenby<br />

thousandsofbusinesses.<br />

BUY YOUR £30 ANNUAL BUSINESS LISTING AT<br />

NEEDITFINDIT.UK<br />

22 business action | <strong>Late</strong> <strong>summer</strong> <strong>2020</strong> | business-action.co.uk

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