April / May 2021 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news on business and enterprise in the area. This issue announces the finalists in the Business Action North Devon Business Awards 2021 plus features on electric cars, businesses participating in the Government's Kickstart scheme and our Business Activists answering your business questions. And there's news of businesses of every size and sector from the communities across North Devon.
usiness
ACTION
north enterprise
devon
growth
innovation
news & views
business-action.co.uk | April / May 2021 | @businessactionm
CONTENTS WELCOME HEADER
business
ACTION
BIGGEST EVER ISSUE
Packed!Wearedelightedthat
thisissueofBusinessAction–
thefirstsincethethird
lockdownendedandthebiggest
ever–ispackedwithcontent.
Whenthefirstlockdown
startedayearago,wehadno
ideawhetherbusinesseswould
survive,whetheradvertisers
wouldbeabletosupportus
andwhetherthemagazine
wouldsurvive.
Ayearlater,wearethrilled
withandgratefulforthe
supportfromouradvertisers,
awardssponsorsandsomany
otherlocalbusinesses.
Wearethrilledtoothatthisis
theseventhissuewe’vebrought
toyousinceMarch2020.
ADVERTISING
Alan Williams
Advertising, Distribution &
Publisher
t: 07970 671192
e: alan@business-action.co.uk
North Devon abuzz
Whilemanybusinesseshave
beenclosedduringthe
lockdownsandstillface
EDITORIAL
Robert Zarywacz
Editor, Designer & Publisher
t: 07971 176044
e: robertz@business-action.co.uk
@robertz
massivechallenges,thereare
alsomanywhoarethrivingor
workingflatouttoadaptto
changedcircumstances.
Enterprise in action
Articlesinsidediscussthe
resumptionofshipbuildingat
Appledore,thesuccessofthe
KickstartScheme,which
providesbothemployment
placementsforyoungpeople
andvaluableskillsfor
businesses,andthe
announcementofthefinalists
ofourNorthDevonBusiness
Awards2021.
Wealsotestdriveanelectric
MG,thankstoBlightsMotors,
whileourBusinessActivists
answerquestionsoncommon
businessissues.
Wehopeyouenjoythisissue
andinviteyoutosendusyour
businessnews.
Wills, Probate & Lasting
Powers of Attorney
Alan Williams
01271 860105 / 07970 671192
wills.athome@yahoo.com
wills-athome.co.uk
Day or evening appointments in
the comfort of your own home
Wills: £75 Single
£110 Joint
Web site | business-action.co.uk
Online version | business-action.uk
Vol 3 Issue 2 – April / May 2021 – distribution 2,000
Welcome................................................................................................................. ii
Staff to benefit from company acquisition.............................................. 1
Exmoor: Chef wins enterprise award......................................................... 1
Support: New enterprise centre launches first activity..................... 2
Support: Smart skills programme provides advice and training.... 2
Work experience: Businesses sought for Virtual Insight Days...... 3
Funeral directors celebrate 30 years.......................................................... 3
Building merchant raises £8K for air ambulances............................... 4
Business directory – find products and services................................ 5
Manufacturing: Training tower to support GB Olympic team......... 6
Manufacturing: Manufacturer supports community hub ............... 6
South Molton: Dazzling slow fashion brand .......................................... 7
Engineering: Shipbuilding restart .............................................................. 8
Lynton: We sell it because we love it......................................................... 10
Lynton: New owners welcome you to guest house............................. 11
Kickstart: Trust creates 40 job placements............................................ 12
Kickstart: Kickstarting jobs for young people....................................... 13
Kickstart: Accessible wellness live or virtually.................................... 14
Kickstart: Games dream turns into reality.............................................. 15
Business Activists: Your business questions answered ................ 16
Electric cars: Garage accredited to service electric cars................. 18
Electric cars: B&B leads way with car charging point....................... 18
Electric cars: Electric Avenue – The MG5 EV......................................... 19
Leisure: Entertainment for every occasion............................................. 20
Business Action Awards 2021...................................................................... 21
Business Action Awards 2021: Judges.................................................... 23
Business Action Awards 2021: Finalists.................................................. 24
© Need it Find it 2021. All information in this magazine is published in good faith.
Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it.
Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional
before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full
terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.
ii
business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Staff to benefit from
company acquisition
RGB Building Supplieshas
beenacquiredbyGrant&
Stone,joiningthelargest
independentbuildersmerchant
groupinsouthernEngland.It
willcontinuetradingas
RGBBuildingSuppliesacross
Devon,Cornwalland
Somerset,withitsheadofficein
Barnstaple.Themajorityof
RGB’sboardofdirectorswill
notchangeandcurrentchief
executiveKevinFenlonwill
remainleadingthebusiness.
Customerswillcontinueto
receivethesamehighstandards
ofserviceandwillnotseeany
changeswhenvisitingtheir
localbranch.Theacquisition
willallowRGBtofurtheradd
toandimproveitsoffering.
The£2.5millionproceeds
fromthesalewillbeshared
withRGB’s350employeesas
arewardfortheir
commitment,longservice,
loyaltyandsupport.
RGBchairmanColinWorth,
whoisretiringafter54years
withthecompany,says:“The
directorsofRGBwantedto
acknowledgethemanyyearsof
hardworkanddetermination
ourcolleagueshaveputinto
helpinggrowRGBintooneof
theleadingbuildersmerchants
intheSouthWest.Thanksto
them,wehavebuiltfantastic
relationshipswithour
customers,whohaveandwill
continuetobuybuilding
materialsfromastrongand
regionalindependentbuilders
merchant.
“Weareextremelyproudof
theRGBteamandwantedtosay
thankyouforeverythingthey’ve
doneforthebusiness.Welook
forwardtogrowingthe
companywiththem.”
KevinFenlon,chief
executiveofficerofRGB,adds:
“Thispartnershipisexciting
andwilldelivergreat
things.RGBandGrant&
Stonearecompletelyaligned
inourambitionsforthe
companyandhowweachieve
them.Wealsohaveashared
approachtoproduct
excellenceandoutstanding
customerservice.”
RGB’sbranchesinclude
Barnstaple,Bideford,
Hatherleigh,Holsworthy,
Ilfracombe,SouthMolton,
TivertonandWellington.
■ Detailsrgbltd.co.uk
Establishedin1987,Grant&
StoneGroupisanindependent
suppliertothebuilding,
plumbingandelectricaltrades.
ItsheadquartersareinHigh
Wycombeandithas44
branchesacrossLondonand
theSouthWest.In2020,it
achievedrevenuesof£140m.
■ Detailsgrantandstone.co.uk
RGB Building Supplies’ Hatherleigh branch
THIS NEWS ISSUE
Chef wins enterprise award
CarolineWestcott,aqualified
freelanceprivatechefwhose
familyhavebeenfarmingon
Exmoorforover500years,
haswontheExmoorSociety’s
PinnacleAward2021.The
awardprovides£5,000tothe
winnertoinvestin,ordevelop,
agoodbusinessproposal.
Carolinesays:“WhenI
heardIhadwontheaward,I
wasabsolutelythrilledand
gratefultotheExmoorSociety
forenablingmetodevelopmy
newbusiness.”
In2018,Carolinebegan
trainingattheAshburtonChef
Academy,Dartmoortoacquire
theskillssheneededtolaunch
anewcareerincatering.This
training gaveherthe
confidencetoprepareand
servefoodataprofessional
level.Throughthewinter
months,sheearnedaliving
cookingforgunsatlocalshoots
andtherestoftheyearworking
forprivateclientsemploying
peopleonanadhocbasis.
Coronavirushashadahuge
impactonCaroline’snew
businessandherideaisto
becomemoreflexibleby
acquiringarefrigeratedtrailer
enablinghertocaterforlarger
numbers,especiallyatoutdoor
events,andtofurtherdevelop
herbrand,publicityandrange
ofeclecticmenus.
■ Details07866599535
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 1
SUPPORT
New enterprise centre
launches first activity
The Node Enterprise Centre
inBarnstaplelauncheditsfirst
start-upactivityinMarchin
theformofaStartupClub
runninguntilMay.Thefullyfunded,after-hourssupport
programmeaimstohelpNorth
Devonresidentstostartand
growabusiness.Initiallyheld
online,StartupClubgiveslocal
peoplethinkingofstarting
theirownbusinessorlooking
toturntheirpassionintoa
careerresourcestheyneedto
setupandbegintrading,
includingweeklyexpert-led
workshopsandsupport.
Theeight-weekprogramme
includesworkshopswhere
individualscanlearneverything
theyneedtotransformanidea
intoanenterprise,from
creatingabusinessand
marketingplan,throughto
identifyingcustomersand
buildingabrand.
ConstructionoftheNode
buildingonRoundswell
EnterpriseParkwascompleted
inJanuaryandhasspacefor35
smallandmediumoffices,acoworkingspaceforupto50
peopleandanumberofmeeting
rooms.Itaimstoboostthelocal
economyandcreatejobsin
TorridgeandNorthDevonby
supportingpotentialhighgrowthandstart-upbusinesses.
StartupClubisrunbythe
operatorsofNode,TownSq,
whichalsooperatehubsin
Wrexham,West-Sussex,
OxfordshireandDenbighshire.
JulianDymond,community
managerattheNodeEnterprise
Centre,saystheright
environmentofsupportwas
keyforanyonethinkingabout
launchingabusiness:“For
some,theideaofstartinga
businesscanbedaunting.The
thoughtofhavingtogiveup
theirdayjobandtaketherisk
ofstartingfromscratch,
worryingabouthowtopaybills
whilebuilding.Thetruthisthat
mostbusinessesdon’tbeginon
agamble.Theyareside-projects
orideasthatarefosteredgently
untiltheyareinapositiontobe
workedonfull-time.
“However,itcanbedifficult
toknowjustwheretostart.The
StartupClubprogrammewill
giveindividualseverything
theyneedtoturntheiridea
intoanactualbusiness,and
they’llbepartofacommunity
ofpeopleonthesamejourney,
solvingproblemstogether.
Fromthebusinessplanand
legalstuff,righttheway
throughtomarketingandsales.
Itwillbedeliveredbyother
businessownerswhohavebeen
thereanddoneitthemselves
andunderstandthechallenges
weallfaceinourpersonaland
professionallives.
“We’dencourageanyone
consideringsettinguptheir
ownbusiness,orwhojusthas
anideatheywouldliketo
develop,togetintouchandsee
howourStartupClub
programmecanhelpthem.”
CouncillorRufusGilbert,
DevonCountyCouncilCabinet
memberforEconomyand
Skills,said:“ThisStartupClub
isthetypeofprogrammethat
willaddrealvaluetotheNode
EnterpriseCentreandthisis
exactlywhyTownSqhasbeen
broughtonboard.
“Startingabusinesscanbea
hugestep,buttheexperienced
teamatNodecantakeyou
throughtheprocess,onesmall
stepatatimetoequipyou
witheverythingyouneedto
know.Thisinitiativewillalso
helpfosterasupportive
communityatNodethatwill
enablestart-upsattosurvive
andthrive.”
TheNodeEnterpriseCentre
isfundedbyDevonCounty
Council,theHeartoftheSouth
WestLocalEnterprise
PartnershipandEuropean
RegionalDevelopmentFund.
Smart skills programme provides advice and training
TheSMARTSKILLSHub,
managedbyCSW,aimstohelp
Devon-basedsmalland
mediumbusinessesandother
organisationstoidentifyskills
gapsintheirexisting
workforceandprovidethe
trainingtheyneedtobecome
moreresilientforthefuture.
Theprogrammeisthe
resultofa£3.5millionbidto
theEuropeanSocialFund,led
byPlymouthCityCouncil,to
establishaskillsdelivery
partnershipwitharangeof
qualitytrainingandskills
providersacrossDevon.
SMARTSKILLSpartners
include:CityCollege
Plymouth,SouthDevon
College,Petroc,Focus
Training,UniversityofExeter
andLearnDevon.
SMARTSKILLSsupport
coversalllevelsfrom
introductorythroughto
leadershipandmanagement.
Anybusinesscanaccess
The new Node Enterprise Centre in Barnstaple
services,buttherewillbea
particularfocusonadvanced
manufacturingand
engineering,digital
technologies(includingAI
anddataanalysis),marine,
composite,environmental
futures,cleangrowthand
renewables,construction,
hospitalityandSTEMsectors.
TheSMARTSKILLSservice
offersinformation,adviceand
guidancetomatch
opportunitiestopathwaysinto
education,training,
apprenticeships,employment,
workexperience,volunteering
andself-employment.
SMARTSKILLSHub
advisersareavailabletoguide
businessesthroughavailable
skillsandtrainingoptions
andtolinkthemwithrelevant
trainingproviders.
■0800975511(Option6)or
cswgroup.co.uk/home/
employers-and-adults/smartskills-hub/
2 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Businesses sought to host
school Virtual Insight Days
The Heart of the South West
Careers Hubisseeking
businesseswhocanhosta
VirtualInsightsessionabout
theirbusinessandindustry
foryoungpeopleduringJuly.
Coronavirushasprevented
workexperienceoverthepast
yearsothatyoungpeopleat
schoolorcollegehavemissed
outonvaluablecontactwith
industrywhichtheyneedto
helpformtheiropinionson
futurecareers.
DeliveringaVirtualInsight
Dayenablesabusinessto
reachalargenumberof
potentialfutureemployees
usingminimumresources.The
eventsdemystifyanindustry,
shareinspiringcareerpaths,
andprovideapersonal
introductiontothehost
companyorbrand.
Businessescanchoosethe
lengthoftheirevent,ranging
fromawholeorhalfdaytoa
shortsessionofseveralhours.
NEWS
New managers at country house hotel
Funeral directors celebrate 30 years
Funeral directorsDavidand
JennyWilliamsarecelebrating
30yearsservingtheNorth
Devoncommunity.
StartinginAppledoreat
ChantersHouse,Hubbastone
Roadin1991,ADWilliams
openedasecondofficeonThe
Pill,Bideford,followedin
2000bypremisesin
Ilfracombe,theninNortham
in2015andBidefordin2018.
Thecompany’seye-catching
yellowlogo,designedby
IlfracombeartistEmma
Haines,isattheheartofthe
firm’sethos.Thebutterflyhas
longbeenrecognisedasa
metaphorforthesoul’s
spiritualjourney,teachingus
toenjoythepresentandmake
themostofourtimehereon
Earth.Theyalsoremindus
thatdeathisjustanother
transformation.
Davidsaysthatgrowingup
andworkinginAppledore,
workingattheshipyardand
beingamaincontributorto
thecommunityisvery
importanttohim.
Theaimistofillthewhole
ofJulywithVirtualInsight
Daysorsessionshostedbya
varietyofemployersfrom
manydifferentsectors.
Theseeventsareoften
attendedbyyoungpeoplewho
haveneverconsideredacareer
inaspecificindustrybefore.
Thisopensupaworldof
potentialforthemand
introducesanumberof
interestedpotentialfuture
employeestobusinesses.
■ Fordetails,contactToni
Oatway,enterprisecoordinator,at
toni.oatway@devon.gov.uk
Virtual Careers Fair
TheHeartoftheSouthWest
CareersHubisalsohostingits
VirtualCareersFairon27,28
and29April.Thiseventis
aimedatYears7to13.
■ Employerslookingtotake
partcanfinddetailsat
learnbydesign.online/which-way
David and Jenny Williams of AD Williams. Photo: Raymond Goldsmith
“Istartedmyworklifeasan
apprenticeelectricianbefore
goingtoseaandthenstarting
workattheshipyard.Itwasin
itsheydaywiththeyard
building16shipsayear,butby
thetimeIlefttheyweretaking
ayeartobuildone,soItook
voluntaryredundancy.
“Previoustothat,two
shipyardcolleagueshaddied
andIattendedtheirfunerals.
Watchingtheproceedingstold
Trimstone ManorCountry
HouseHotelandCottageswill
openupfor2021withnew
managersrecruitedbyowners
PhilipandHelenMilton.
AndrewandCaroleBussey
bringtheirsignificant
hospitalityexpertisetomanage
alloperationsatTrimstone,
includingthereopeningofthe
TymeRestaurantforevening
mealsandforgroups,parties,
non-residentsandguests.
Afull-time,qualified
methatIcoulddothejob,soI
movedintothebusinessand
hereweare30yearslater.
Providingthisserviceenables
youtomeetallsortsofpeople.
ItisaverysatisfyingjobandI
loveit.IonlywishI’d
discovereditasaschoolleaver.
“Asacompany,weare
dedicatedtoserveour
familiesattheirtimeofneed
whentheytrustustogive
theirlovedonetheservice
Albert the peacock at Trimstone Manor Country Hotel
propertyprojectsmanageralso
joinstheteamtocontinuethe
ongoingrestorationofthe
buildings,someofwhichareat
least3-400yearsold.Recent
improvementsincludeanew
fountaininthepoolarea,
renewedroofingandwindows.
Thehotelalsoadvertisesthe
fastestholidayaccommodation
wifiintheareawith300Mbps
downloadspeeds.
■ Details01271862841or
trimstone.co.uk
theydeserve.Beingafamilyrun,independentfuneral
directorsmeanswecanadapt
ourservicestotheneedsof
thefamily.
“Weareluckytohavesuch
awonderfulteamhelpingour
companytogrow.Withmyself
asthemainfuneraldirector,
thecompanyissupportedin
theIlfracombeareabyJack
Gallagher,whogrewupandis
wellknownandrespectedin
thearea.
“LynseyWheatleyworksfor
usfromtheNorthamoffice,
whereshegrewup,andiswell
knownforherwarmth,
compassionandknowledge.
AbigailWilliamsandTerri
Doodsonworkalongsidethe
teamtoeasethepressuresof
organisingafuneral.
“We’vebeenherefor30
yearsandlookforwardto
another30yearsofserving
thewonderfulpeopleof
NorthDevon.Ihavenoplans
toretire.”
■ Details0127186633or
adwilliams.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 3
COMMUNITY NEWS
Building merchant raises £8K for
RGB Building Supplieshas
raised£8,400forDevonAir
AmbulanceandCornwallAir
AmbulanceTrustoverthepast
12months.
RGBreportsthatthe
supportithasreceivedforits
fundraisingeffortswas
overwhelmingdespitethe
impactofCoronavirusonits
branchoperations.
Themoneywasraisedfrom
acombinationofthesaleof
RGB’s‘Lovewhereyoulive’
charitycalendar,donationsto
itsbranchesandthesaleof
promotional‘bulkbags’.The
bagsareusedtocarrylarge
quantitiesofaggregates,suchas
sand,crushedstoneandgravel,
andRGBhadpledgedto
donate25pfromthesaleof
bagsthatcarriedthecharities’
logos–13,600bagsweresold
inthe12-monthperiod.
Chosen charities
Sinceselectingthetwoair
ambulancecharitiesaspartners
in2019,RGBhasraisedmore
than£14,000tohelpsupport
theservicesbothgivetopeople
acrossthetwocounties.
TracyOwen,business
supportengagementofficerat
DevonAirAmbulance,says:
“Wearesogratefulto
everyoneatRGBfortheir
continuedfundraisingefforts
throughoutthepastyear.
Despitethechallengesthey
facedduringthepandemic,
theyhaveremainedcommitted
supportersofDevonAir
Ambulanceandhaveraisedan
amazingamountofmoney.
“Wewouldalsoliketo
thankthosepeoplewhoeither
purchasedbulkbagsfrom
RGBoroneofthe‘Lovewhere
air ambulances
Jenny Naylor, HR director at RGB Building Supplies
youlive’charitycalendars.
Theircontributionhasmadea
hugedifferencetothe
fundraisingtotalandthe
serviceweprovide.”
VioletMcKenzie-Pegg,
branchmanageratRGB
Bideford,adds:“Wewouldlike
tothankallourcustomers,staff
andthelocalcommunityfor
supportingourfundraising
activitiesforDevonAir
AmbulanceandCornwallAir
AmbulanceTrust.It’sonlywith
theirhelpthatwe’vebeenable
toraiseasmuchaswehave
thesepast12months.”
Charity Calendar
ThreephotosofNorthDevon
scenesfeaturedinRGB’s‘Love
WhereYouLive’2021calendar.
AfterRGBaskedSouthWest
residentstosubmitphotographscelebratingtheregion,
photosofHuntshawWoods
andWelcombeMouthBeach
takenbyAndyDavey,and
ValleyoftheRockstakenby
WilliamGreatrexwereselected
forthecalendar.Andyand
Williameachreceiveda£100
vouchertospendattheirlocal
RGBbranch.
RGB’sVioletMcKenzie-Pegg
says:“Wereceivedover60
entries,whichallhighlighted
whatanamazingpartofthe
countrywelivein,soitwas
extremelydifficulttonarrowit
downtojust12.
“CongratulationstoAndy
andWilliamforhavingtheir
photoschosen–theyare
stunning.”
■ Detailsrgbltd.co.uk
4 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
DIRECTORY
ACCOUNTANTS
Cranford Business Services
Bideford
t: 01237 488077
w: accountsindevon.co.uk
Gareth Pollard Accountancy Services
Holsworthy
t: 01409 254817
w: garethpollardaccountancy
services.com
ANTIQUE MAPS & CHARTS
Old Folding Maps
South Molton
t: 01769 573935
w: foldingmaps.co.uk
ARCHITECTS
Sam Nolan RIBA Architect
North Devon & UK
t: 01271 325 236
w: northdevonarchitects.com
BRANDING & DESIGN
Boom Boom Media
Barnstaple
t: 01271 326694
w: boomboommedia.co.uk
BrandLanterns
Barnstaple
t: 01271 372620
w: brandlanterns.co.uk
BREWERY
Combe Brewing Company
Ilfracombe
t: 07973 488409
w: facebook.com/
CombeBrewingCompany
GT Ales
Chivenor
t: 01271 267420
w: gtales.co.uk
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Heritage Cob and Lime
Bideford
t: 01237 477431
w: heritagecobandlime.com
RGB Building Supplies
Branches in Barnstaple, Bideford,
Hatherleigh, Holsworthy,
Ilfracombe, Okehampton, South
Molton, Tiverton
w: rgbltd.co.uk
BUSINESS ADVISORS
Pound Lane Financial Management
North Devon
t: 07801 199671
w: poundlane.co.uk
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Be Ready Employer Hub
Devon
t: 01392 241124
w: readydevon.org.uk
CAR SALES & SERVICING
Blights Motors
Bideford
t: 01237 472282
w: blightsmotors.co.uk
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
James Doble Commercial
North Devon
t: 01237 424053
w: jd-commercial.co.uk
CONSTRUCTION
Advanced Scaffolding
Barnstaple
t: 01271 321100
w: advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk
COPIERS & PRINTERS
Clarity Copiers North Devon
Barnstaple & North Devon
t: 01271 374061
w: claritynorthdevon.co.uk
COPYWRITING & MARKETING
Zarywacz
North Devon & UK
t: 01271 879100
w: z2z.com
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Devon Coounselling Training
Barnstaple
t: 07522 841009
w: devoncounsellingtraining.co.uk
North Devon Counselling
Barnstaple
t: 07872 501606
w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk
DINING
Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 863482
w: terracetapasbar.co.uk
The Royal George
Appledore
t: 01237 424 138
w: trgpub.co.uk
FINANCIAL ADVISERS
D Scott Financial
Bideford
t: 01237 426450
w: dscottfinancial.co.uk
Philip J Milton & Co Plc
Barnstaple
t: 01271 344300
w: miltonpj.net
GARDENING & LANDSCAPING
AB SEA Services
Torrington
t: 07799 478318
w: abseaservices.com
HEALTH & SAFETY
Safety Supplies Direct
Barnstaple
t: 01271 377558
w: safetysuppliesdirect.co.uk
HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Marsdens Devon Cottages
North Devon
t: 01271 813777
w: marsdens.co.uk
HOTELS
The Carlton
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 862446
w: ilfracombecarlton.co.uk
HUMAN RESOURCES
Fitzgerald HR
Barnstaple, Exeter, London &
Wellington
t: 01271 859267
w: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk
INSURANCE
Together Insurance Solutions
Barnstaple
t: 01271 347147
w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUPPORT
International Trade Matters Ltd
Bampton
t: 01398 332881
w: internationaltradematters.com
IT & TELECOMS
Integra
North Devon
t: 01271 555 666
w: integra.im
JOINERY & CARPENTRY
Bespoke Timber Joinery &
Carpentry
Barnstaple
t: 01271 603411
w: bespoketimberjc.co.uk
LOCKSMITHS
MJS Locksmith
Bideford
t: 07532 139388
w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk
SW Locksmiths
Holsworthy / Bude
t: 01409 255533
w: swlocksmiths.com
MANUFACTURERS
The Clovelly Soap Company
Clovelly
t: 01237 432280
w: theclovellysoapcompany.com
Smart Manufacturing
Bideford
t: 01237 471977
w: smart-manufacturing.co.uk
MASSAGE & BEAUTY
Essential Bodyworkx
South Molton
t: 01769 574474
w: essentialbodyworkx.co.uk
NETWORKING GROUPS
Business Networking in Barnstaple
Barnstaple
t: 0843 289 1339
w: bnibarnstaple.co.uk
Devon Partnerships
Devon
t: 07393 149855
w: devonpartnerships.co.uk
North Devon Networking Group
Barnstaple
w: northdevonnetworking.co.uk
Rise
Barnstaple
e: martin@duchyifa.co.uk
Torridge Business Network
Westward Ho!
w: torridgebusinessnetwork.co.uk
OFFICE SUPPLIES
South West Office Supplies
North Devon
t: 01271 889337
w: swofficesupplies.co.uk
PACKAGING
Atlas Packaging
Barnstaple
t: 01271 344055
w: atlaspackaging.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tarkatography
Westward Ho!
t: 07977 414798
w: tarkatography.co.uk
➤ Listinginsixissuesof
magazinewithbusiness
nameandcategory,phone
number,websiteandtown.
➤ 12-monthonlinelistingat
needitfindit.ukNorth
PRINTING
Jamaica Press
Buckland Brewer
t: 01237 452333
w: jamaicapress.co.uk
RECRUITMENT
Cooper Golding
Barnstaple
t: 01271 349745
w: coopergolding.co.uk
Simple Recruitment
Bideford
t: 01237 439500
w: simplerecruitmentltd.co.uk
RETAILERS
Darlings Natural Health
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 867775
w: darlingsnaturalhealth.com
Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 867193
w: ilfracombechocolateemporium.co.uk
SHEDS
SHEDS 4 you
Bideford
t: 01237 459193
w: sheds4you.co.uk
SIGNS
Doubleuprint
Barnstaple
t: 01271 268 041 / 07866 420436
w: doubleuprint.co.uk
The Sign Maker
High Bickington
t: 01769 561355
w: sign-maker.net
SOLICITORS
Slee Blackwell Solicitors
Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton,
South Molton
t: 0808 139 1606
w: sleeblackwell.co.uk
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Aramis Rugby
South Molton
t: 01769 550284
w: aramisrugby.co.uk
TRAVEL AGENTS
Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors
North Devon & UK
t: 01271 828990
w: travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint
WEB SITES
Peak Online
Bideford
t: 01237 721256
w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com
WILLS
Wills at Home
West Yelland
t: 01271 860105
w: wills-athome.co.uk
BOOK YOUR £30 LISTING NOW AT needitfindit.uk
DevonBusinessDirectory
withbusinessnameand
category,logo,phone
number,addressandlinks.
➤ 6issuesofmagazinemailed
directtoyourUKaddress.
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 5
MANUFACTURING
North Devon training tower
to support GB Olympic team
The TX3 Total Training Tower,
design-engineeredand
manufacturedbyBarnstaplebasedDymondEngineering,
hasreceivedtheOlympicSeal
ofApprovalfromTeamGBand
willbeusedattheGBOlympic
andParalympictrainingvillage
forthisyear’sTokyoGames.
Dymonddevelopedthe
towerafteranapproachfrom
GBparacanoeathleteJack
EyersinMarch2020,afterhe
wasdauntedbytheclosureof
gymsandnotbeingableto
train.Withhissightssetonthe
Tokyo2020ParalympicGames,
Jackknewthatanytraining
timelostwouldhaveaserious
impactonhisperformanceasa
sprintcanoeist.Onalimited
budgetandwithlimitedspace
inhisflat,itwasonlywhenhe
beganworkingwithDymond
todevelopacustomsquatrack
builttoanelitestandardthata
solutionbecameavailable.
DymondaskedJacktolist
allhisrequirements,which
requiredtherackto:bestrong,
sturdyandrobust;beratedfor
loadsupto300kg;fitintoand
beuseablewithinastandard
sizebedroom;befreestanding;
haveenoughheadspaceto
enablepull-ups;andbemore
affordablethanexistingelite
standardequipmentavailable.
Dymondsetaboutdesignengineeringaracktomeet
theserequirements,involving
Jackateverystage.Iteven
testedtherackwithcrane
weightsupto500kg,witnessed
andverifiedbyagymowner.
TheresultingTotalTraining
Towermetalltherequirements
sosuccessfullythatDymond
hassetupajointventurewith
JacktomarkettheTX3toa
widermarketbase.Dymond
hasalsodevelopedanXL
versionforlargerpremisesand
gyms,andisdesigning
accessories,includingan
optionaldipsbar.
■ Details01271372662or
totaltrainingtower.co.uk
Manufacturer supports community hub
TDK-Lambdahasdonated
£2,000towardsequippingand
runningTheEarthRepair
Shopcommunitycentrein
Ilfracombe.Thecommunity
hubwasrecentlysetupinthe
towntoprovideinformation,
adviceandsupportfor
helpingresidentslower
carbonemissions,reduce
wastelevels,saveon
householdcostsandadaptto
climatechanges.
AlanDykes,financial
director,TDK-LambdaEMEA
said:“Sincemovingto
Ilfracombemorethan50years
ago,wehavebecomea
cornerstoneofthecommunity,
supportinginitiativessuchas
these.Wehaveastrongfocus
onsustainabilityand
continuouslystrivetoreduce
theimpactofouroperation.
Workingtogether,wecan
ensuretheseinitiatives
percolatefurtherintoour
community.”
■ Details01271856600or
emea.lambda.tdk.com/uk/
(from left) Alan Dykes, financial director, TDK-Lambda EMEA, Jamie
Woodger, cleaning and recycling shift leader, TDK-Lambda,
Councillor Netti Pearson, Sophia Henri, project manager, Earth Repair Shop
6 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
RETAIL
Two young North Devon womenhaveteameduptolaunchadazzlingnewslow
fashionbrand:dizzydaze.
23-year-oldfashiongraduatesEmilyBaglowandWhitneyStonemanstudied
togetheratPetrocbeforeEmilytookherBA(Hons)degreeinFashionandTextile
Design,specialisinginknitwearforfashion,atWinchesterSchoolofArt,while
WhitneystudiedforherBA(Hons)inFashionDesign,focusingoncommercialand
conceptualdesign,pattern-cuttinganddrape,atBathSpaUniversity.
Thepairtookuppart-timeworkafterreturningtoNorthDevonandmetupin
March2020todiscovertheybothhadsimilarambitions.Thisledthemtolaunch
dizzydaze,anewfashionbrandbuiltonsolidprinciples,basedinSouthMolton.
Slow, sustainable and bespoke
Slowfashionisattheheartofdizzydaze’sethos.Allgarmentsarehandmade
toordersothatthereisnowastefromunsoldmass-producedcollections.
Aswellasofferingstandardsizes,dizzydazeoffersabespokemade-tomeasureservicetoensuregarmentsfitacustomerperfectly.
EmilyandWhitneyarealsocommittedtosourcingmaterialsina
responsibleyetcost-effectivewaytominimiseenvironmentalimpact.
Theyhaveadoptedtheseprinciplesinordertoturnthethrowawaycultureof‘fastfashion’onitsheadbyoffering
longlasting,highqualitygarmentswithcollectionsconsistingof
diversestatementpieceswhichcanbeeasilystyledand
combinedwithitemscustomersalreadyown.
Launched in lockdown
EmilyandWhitneyusedtheirtimeduringlockdowns
tobuilddizzydazefromscratch,includingtheir
branding,websiteandfirstcorecollection,
‘Unfazed’.Thisisaselectionofrelaxedknitsand
casualdesign,alongsideboldprintandcolour,to
createaversatilecombinationofmatchingsets
andsingularstatementpiecestobrightena
customer’swardrobe.
UnfazedlaunchedinMarch2021andEmily
andWhitneysaytheyhavehadabigger
responsethantheythoughttheywouldget,
withordersfromasfarawayasIrelandand
Singapore.
Trusted and unique
EmilyandWhitneyaimtorebuild
publictrustinthefashionindustry
throughdizzydazeandlovethe
ideaofbringingsomething
differenttoNorthDevon.
◼Details07470306027or
dizzydaze.co.uk
Dazzling
slow
fashion
brand
@businessactionm Models showcase dizzydaze’s | April / Unfazed May 2021 slow| fashion business core action collection
7
ENGINEERING
Shipbuilding restart
Appledore Shipyardisamajor
NorthDevonlandmarkandits
returntooperationssignalsa
massivevoteofconfidencein
thearea’sengineeringand
commercialcapabilities.
Harland&Wolffhaswasted
notimeinreconstructingand
rebuildingtheshipyardsince
acquiringitin2020.This
includesremovingandcarrying
outsubstantialsteelworkon
themaindockgates,which
chiefexecutiveJohnWoodsays
havenotbeentakenoutsince
theyardwasbuilt.
Stability and continuity
Havingseentheshipyardclose
in2019,it’sunderstandablethat
somepeopleinNorthDevon
mighthaveconcernsaboutthe
securityoftheyard’sfuture.
Whilelittleisguaranteedin
anybusiness,JohnWoodsays
Harland&Wolffiscommitted
The news that Harland & Wolff has restarted operations at its
Appledore shipyard is particularly welcome in such challenging
times. As well as taking on experienced employees, the company is
also launching its apprenticeship programme, offering skills
development across many functions. To catch up with all its news,
editor Robert Zarywacz chatted with John Wood, chief executive
officer of Harland & Wolff
tobringingmorestabilityand
continuity,whichisespecially
importantforprovidingmore
jobsecurity.
“Weareoverwhelmedbythe
interestinAppledore,from
boththeUKand
internationally,”saysJohn.“The
yardhasareputationfor
deliveringhigh-classprojects.”
Johnaddsthattimeand
timeagain,ownersfrom
aroundtheworldmentionthe
qualityoftheworkthatcomes
outofNorthDevon,withsome
sayingthatthey’rethebestbuilt
shipsthey’vehadintheirfleet.
Evenbeforetheyard
accepteditsfirstvesselsfor
refits,Harland&Wolffwas
impressedbyAppledore.
“We’rereallypleasedwith
thepositive,can-doattitude.”
Shipbuilding renaissance
Appledoremarkeditsreturnto
businessinMarchbyaccepting
itsfirsttwovesselsforrefitsin
itssmallerNewquayyard:a
fishingvesselandabarge.
Whilethesearemodest
projects,Harland&Wolffis
focusedonsecuringfabrication
worksuitableforthelarger,
119-metre-longcovered
drydock.Previously,Appledore
constructedelementsofthe
twoQueenElizabethclass
The reinstallation of one of the newly refurbished dock gates at Harland & Wolff (Appledore)
aircraftcarriersandbuilttwo
Róisínclasspatrolboatsforthe
IrishNavalService.Oncemore,
itsfacilitiesareavailableto
participateinsimilarprojects.
Johnpointsoutthat
Appledoreissuitablefor
handlingsmallervessels,which
complementsthecapabilitiesof
thecompany’smuchlarger
Belfastyard.Itfurther
increaseditscapabilities,
especiallyforrenewable,oil
andgas,anddefenceprojects,
wheninFebruaryitacquired
twositesinScotland:Methilon
theeastcoastandArnishon
thewestcoast.
“JoinAppledore,Belfastand
Scotlandtogetherandwecan
competewithanyone,”
commentsJohn.
Winning business
Havingestablishedsucha
formidablemaritimeand
offshoreengineeringcapability,
Harland&Wolff’sstrategyisto
developitsbusinessinsix
sectorsacrossfivemarkets.
Itisfocusingonproviding
technicalservices,fabrication
andconstruction,repairand
maintenance,in-service
support,conversionand
decommissioningtotheoiland
gas,defence,cruiseandferry,
commercialandrenewables
industries.Witharefreshofthe
Government’sNational
ShipbuildingStrategynowin
progressandduetobe
publishedintheautumn,
opportunitiesinshipbuilding
areexpectedtoincrease.The
originalstrategywasfocused
onnavalshipbuildingalone,
butSecretaryofStatefor
8 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
NEWHEADER
BUSINESSES
Defenceand‘Shipbuilding
Tzar’BenWallacehasstated
thishasnowbeenbroadened
fromnavalandcommercial
shipbuildingtosystemsand
subsystems.
Growing engineering skills
Whiletheincreasein
opportunitiesisgoodnews,
Appledoreneedstomaintain
anddevelopaskilledworkforce
ifitistocompetewithyards
bothintheUKandabroad.
JohnWoodbeganhiscareer
intheMerchantNavyasan
engineerontheSSCanberra,
builtbyHarland&Wolffin
Belfast.Thiswasfollowedby
extensiveinternational
maritimeandoffshore
engineeringexperience,giving
Johnadetailedunderstanding
oftheindustryanditsneeds.
Hebelievesthatolder,
traditionalshipbuildingskills
arepassedfromonegeneration
tothenextandthattheUK
needstotakeactionduringthe
nextfiveyearstoavoidlosing
Fishing boat ‘Barbara B’ is one of the first two vessels Harland & Wolff has welcomed for refits at Harland & Wolff (Appledore)
thesekeyskills.Healso
understandsthatalotofthe
previousAppledoreworkforce
arelocalpeopleandthatmany
arelookingtoreturn.
Apprenticeships launch
Thefirststageinachievingthis
isHarland&Wolff’s
announcementofits
apprenticeshipprogramme,
whichwillcoverthreedistinct
functions:trade(welders,
pipefitters,electricians,riggers,
fabricators);technical
(engineers,navalarchitecture);
andbusinesssupport(sales,
administration).Prospective
apprenticescanregistertheir
interestatharland-wolff.com/
careers/apprenticeships/
Theprogrammewill
combinepracticalon-the-job
training,one-to-onementoring
alongsideitsexperienced
workforce,shipyardtraining
facilitiesandtheopportunityto
‘earnwhileyoulearn’.
Thecompanywouldalso
liketohearfromanyrelevant
apprenticeswhohavebeen
unabletocompletetheir
apprenticeshipthroughthe
recentlossofemployment.
“Aswecontinuetorampup,
therewillbeopportunities
acrossawholevarietyof
trades,”explainsJohn.
“Wearelookingfora
workforcethatwantstobuy
intothefutureandbuilda
careerforthemselvesandthe
thenextgeneration.”
Withtheconnections
betweenthefourHarland&
Wolfffacilities,Johnenvisages
opportunitiesforapprenticesto
visitotheryardstofurtherthe
transferofknowledgebetween
themtoupskillthewhole
workforce.
“We’remakingsurethat
shipbuildingandfabrication
skillsareretainedandpassedon
tofuturegenerations.”
■ Detailsharland-wolff.com
Refurbishing the gates of the drydock at Harland & Wolff (Appledore)
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 9
CONSTRUCTION LYNTON
We sell it because we love it
Retail industry expertshave
waffledonforyearsaboutthe
declineexperiencedbynational
highstreetchains,butfewof
themhavecaughtontothe
reasonswhysmall,
independentstoresthrive.
ALittleofWhatYouFancy
inQueenStreet,Lynton
epitomisesthenewbreedof
independentretailerbringing
smalltownsbacktolifewith
sheerenthusiasmandlovefor
whattheydoandsell.Owners
DanielandLauraWhitfield
sumupthestore’sethoswitha
quoteLaurasaw:“Wedon’t
loveitbecausewesellit,wesell
itbecauseweloveit!”
DanielandLauraopened
theirshopandonlinestorein
August2020withthesimple
aimofspreadingtheirloveof
deliciousfood.Theystocka
rangeofartisanandawardwinningfoodwhichcontinues
togrow.
“Wehavealwayssupported
smallbusinesseswheneverwe
couldandgoodfoodhasalways
beenaviceofours,”saysDaniel.
“Eversincewemovedtothe
SouthWest,wehaveseenjust
howmanyamazingartisanfood
producersareactuallyoutthere.
Chief testers: Laura and Daniel Whitfield of A Little of What you Fancy, Lynton
Wesaidtoeachother‘wouldn’t
itbegreatifallofthese
productswereinjustoneplace?’
andthatwashowitstarted.
“Webeganbystockingthe
shelveswithproductsthatwe
sourcedfromtheSouthWest
withthepremisethattheywere
eitherartisanorawardwinning,andwefoundthat
thereweresomanysmall
independentbusinessesthat
stretchedallthewayacrossthe
country.”
Danieladdsthatthewebsite
hassomeexclusiveoffersnot
offeredinstore:“Wehavelots
ofmulti-buyoffersontheweb
site,sopeoplecanstockupon
theirfavouriteitemsandsave
somemoneyatthesametime.”
Productsrangefrom
liquoricetocheesestrawsand
fromspecialistoilstonougat.
Theyalsocompilebespokegift
hampersonrequest.
Runningtheshophasbeen
exceptionallyhardwork.
Laurasays:“Openingthe
shopinAugustwasabaptism
offire.Wewereinundated
withcustomerswantingour
bakedgoodsandhotdrinks.
We’reonlyasmallshopbutwe
willactuallyhavetoemploy
oursontohelpusthroughthe
nextseason.”
Referringbacktothestore’s
ethos,Lauraadds:“Without
doubt,thebestpartofthejobis
producttesting.”
■ Details07952327170or
alittleofwhatyoufancy.org
10 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
HEADER LYNTON
New owners welcome you to Grade II
listed guest house
There is a school of thought
thatweneverreallyown
anythingbutarecustodians
takingcareofwhatwehaveto
passontofuturegenerations.
StVincent’sGuestHousein
Lyntonhaspassedthrough
manygenerationssinceitwas
builtin1834anditspresent
ownersareMariaPerridgeand
fiancéCliveTaylor,whomoved
inon6August2020,opening
togueststhreedayslater.
Builtbymastermariner
ThomasGeen,captainofthe
Bristol-builtshipStVincent,
theguesthouseisaGradeII
listedbuilding,whichMaria
andClivearekeentocherish
andpreserve.
Takingonathrivingguest
housethatisalistedbuilding
soundsachallengeatanytime,
butMariaandClivefacedthe
addedcomplicationscreated
byCovidrestrictionswhen
sellingtheirownpropertiesin
LondonandKent,and
purchasingStVincent’s,aswell
ashavingtocloseforlockdown
shortlyaftermovingin.
However,thecoupleare
quicklyestablishing
themselvesassuccessful
proprietorsandattracting
bothlongstandingandnew
gueststobookstays.
Love at first sight
MariaandClivevisitedLynton
inlate2019lookingforabed
andbreakfastbusinessthey
couldpurchase.
“Inourfirstvisittothearea
inOctober,wewalkedpassed
StVincent’sandbothfellin
lovewithit,”saysMaria.
“Itwasnotonthemarket,
butwhenwecamebackin
Novembertoviewa
fewmoreproperties,
webookedtostay.”
Whentheprevious
ownersdiscoveredthe
reasonfortheirvisit,
theymentionedthat
theywerelookingto
sell,andMariaand
Clivejumpedatthe
opportunity,unaware
ofthechallengesthat
2020wouldbringfor
everyone.
A new chapter
StVincent’ssixen-suite
bedroomswerefullybooked
fortherestof2020untilthe
Novemberlockdown,and
MariaandClivehavemadea
goodimpressiononreturning
andnewguests.
Theguesthousehaseven
beenappointedan
accommodationproviderfor
walkersonOnFootHolidays
walkingtoursaftercompany
representativesbookedinto
stayincognitoandcouldnot
believethatMariaandClive
hadonlybeenrunningthe
businessforsuchashorttime.
Guestreviewshavealso
beenverycomplimentarywith
New owners arrive at St Vincent’s Guest House in Lynton
theB&Bmaintainingthehigh
reputationbuiltupoveryears.
MariaandClivedo
everythingtheycantomake
guests’staysasenjoyableas
possible.Thisincludes
collectingordroppingoff
guestsatLynmouth,
BarnstapleorMinehead,
offeringflexiblecheck-in
times,acceptingdogsand
offeringpackedlunches.
Withrestrictionslimiting
diningvenues,Clivestarted
preparingeveningmealsfor
guests,whichweresucha
successthatmanyguestsopted
todineineverynight.In2021,
StVincent’swillofferlight
lunchesandafternoonteasin
thegarden.
Allfoodpreparedand
servedislocallysourcedwith
fresheggsfromalocalDevon
farm,sausages,baconand
blackpuddingpurchasedfrom
alocalbutcherandbreadfrom
localbakers.Vegan,vegetarian
andotherdietaryoptions,eg
forgluten/lactoseintolerance,
arealsoavailable.
Inadditiontosuchahigh
levelofservice,Mariaand
Clivearerefurbishingthe
houseandgarden,takinggreat
caretorespectandshowcase
StVincent’slonghistory.
■ Details01598752720or
stvincentlynton.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 11
KICKSTART
FEEL ELECTRIC
TRADE UP, PLUG IN
AT BLIGHTS MOTORS
FAMILY RUN FOR 88 YEARS
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
SALES
SERVICE
PARTS
PARTS
RENTAL
TRADE UP...PLUG IN...WITH MG ELECTRIC
TEST DRIVE AN MG NOW!
Bideford
HANDY CROSS, CLOVELLY ROAD, BIDEFORD, EX39 3ET
01237 472282
www.blightsmotors.co.uk
Trust creates 40 job placements
The Northam Care Trustis
bothacharityandacompany
limitedbyguarantee.We
changedournamefrom
NorthamLodgetoThe
NorthamCareTrustinMay
2018.Wewereformedasa
charityin1978byagroupof
committedparentsofchildren
withlearningandphysical
disabilitieswhosharedavision
ofimprovingservicesand
supportfortheirchildren.In
the1970s,localauthoritiesand
policymakersreferredto
peoplewithlearningdisabilities
asbeing‘handicappedor
subnormal’anditwasthe
decadewhenlargeinstitutional
‘hospitalsforthementally
handicapped’werebeingclosed
downandreplacedby
communityfacilitieswith
accessibleservices.Institutions
breedinstitutionalbehaviours
andwhenthingsbeganto
change,parentsplayedabig
role,includingthosewho
originallysetupwhatisnowthe
Trust.Theirlegacyisthebasis
foroursuccess,butwehave
hadtoadapttochangingtimes
whereweallstriveforamore
informedandtolerantsociety
wherediversityisthenorm.
Advertise from just £30 a year with Business Action
All plans include
➤ 6 adverts (if selected)
➤ 6 magazine listings
➤ online listing
➤ 6 mailed magazines
➤ plus more
Coronavirus has not only threatened existing jobs, but has disrupted
the lives of many young people just starting out in their careers. The
Northam Care Trust is creating 40 valuable job placements for young
people in North Devon through the Kickstart Scheme. We invited
chief executive Dr Len Lofts to describe the work of the charity and
how Kickstart is helping it and the young people on its placements
North Devon Kickstart success: (from left) Dr Len Lofts, chief executive of
The Northam Care Trust, and Sahara Stockwell, Kickstart district account
manager at Department for Work and Pensions Devon & Cornwall
Allthepeoplewesupportin
ourexpandingservice
continuum–including
residentiallodges(homes)for
peoplewithprofound
disabilitiesandcomplexhealth
needs;supportedlivingin
normalhousesinthe
community;ourseven-day-aweekdayservicesatRoseHill;
communityandenabling
servicesandourdomiciliary
careathomeservicesforolder
peopleandpeoplewith
dementia–arethepeoplewho
havethebiggestinvestmentin
ourservices.Itistheirfeespaid
tousbyDevonCountyCouncil
andotherlocalauthoritiesthat
enabletheTrusttoemployour
225-stronglocalstaffgroup.So
ineffect,thepeoplewesupport
areourbiggeststakeholders
andeverybitofgrowthis
Select plan
£30 Business Action Plan – 6 magazine listings
£150 Business Action Plan – 6 business card adverts
£275 Business Action Plan – 6 banner adverts
£400 Business Action Plan – 6 quarter page adverts
£750 Business Action Plan – 6 half page adverts
£1,375 Business Action Plan – 6 full page adverts
developedintheirinterestsand
tosafeguardandimprovetheir
qualityoflife.
Run as a business
Wehavetobeabusinessaswell
asacharity.Innon-Covid
times,beingacharitygivesus
accesstograntsthatsupport
ourstatutoryincomeand
governsthewaythatany
financialsurplusesmustbe
reinvestedinthedevelopment
andqualityofourservices.It
isn’teasyforanorganisationto
makeanannualsurplus(profit)
inthesocialcareindustry.For
allthepraisefortheNHSand
socialcareduringCovidandit
beingoneofthefastestgrowingsectorsinthe
economy,variousgovernments
struggletoinvestinit.
Webeganamodernisation
andexpansionplanin2018and
haveachievedallitsobjectives.
Covidbroughtusmassive
challengesaswellas
opportunitiestoinnovateand
wehavecontinuedtoexpand
andimproveallourservices.
Ourninetrusteedirectors
donotgetpaidorreceivea
dividend,asdirectorsofprivate
companiesdo.Theygovernthe
Payment options
Pay in full or by
12 monthly instalments –
with no extra charges.
Put yourself in front of
North Devon businesses.
Book online at business-action.co.uk/plans or call Alan on 07970 671192
12 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
KICKSTART
Kickstarting jobs for young people
Since the Kickstart scheme
waslaunchedbythe
GovernmentinJuly2020,
manyNorthDevonemployers
haveparticipatedinthe
programmebyofferingjob
placementstoyoungpeople.A
responsetothemassive
impactofCoronaviruson
employment,Kickstart
supportsyoungpeoplefrom
allbackgrounds.
Kickstartcomprisesa£2
billionnationalfundtocreate
hundredsofthousandsof
high-qualitysix-monthjob
Trustandworkonourstrategic
andbusinessplanningwiththe
Trust’sseniorexecutiveand
alsomakesurethatweadhere
toallofourresponsibilities
withtheCharityCommission.
Weworkwithmany
organisations,including
externalregulatorssuchasthe
CareQualityCommissionand
DevonCountyCouncilareour
trustedpartnersaswellasour
commissionerswhobuyour
servicesonbehalfofthepeople
wesupport.Wealsoworkwith
housingorganisationson
developingoursupported
livingwork–weprovidethe
careandthehousing
organisationsthetenancies.We
arenowstartingtoworkin
NorthCornwallwithCornwall
CountyCouncil.
Ourprojectedturnoverfor
thenewfinancialyearstarting
inAprilshowsanincreaseof
55%ontheyearjustending.
Ourprojectedturnoverfor
2024is£8.6million.Wehave
investedinourworkforceand
madeourowncommitmentto
improvingpayandconditions
bybeingaccountabletothe
peoplewesupportby
employingthebeststaffwecan
throughourrecruitmentand
trainingincludingour
involvementinthe
Government’sKickstart
scheme.
Kickstart placements
Wesawtheobviousvalueof
theKickstartschemewhenit
wasintroduced.Asoneofthe
firstorganisationstoapply,we
wereawarded30Kickstartjob
placementsinourownrightin
placementsforyoungpeople,
aspartofthePlanforJobs.
Fundingforeachplacement
coverstherelevantNational
MinimumWagefor25hoursa
weekplusassociatedemployer
NationalInsuranceand
employerminimumautomatic
enrolmentcontributions.
Thereisalsofundingfor
developingnewskillsand
supportformovinginto
sustainedemploymentafter
completionoftheKickstartfundedjob.Currently,
Kickstartprioritisesyoung
October2020andwehaveso
farfilled26ofthem.Wehave
nowappliedforafurther10job
placementstakingourtotalto
40.Thismeanswecanhelp
localunemployedyoungpeople
onUniversalCreditaged16-24
todeveloptheskillsand
trainingtheywillneedtofind
long-termemploymentwith
theaddedvaluefortheTrustof
encouragingthemduringthe
six-monthplacementtoremain
withusincareersinsocialcare.
Theschemedictatesthatwe
mustemployeachyoung
personinanewrolefora
minimumof25hoursaweek
onatleasttheNational
MinimumWagefortheirage.
Wepaymorethanthatat£9.66
anhour.TheDepartmentof
WorkandPensionsfundseach
youngpersonforthefullsix
monthssotheincentivesfor
employerstousethescheme
aremassive.NewDWPrules
putintoplaceinFebruary2021
meanthatemployerscanapply
foranynumberofjob
placements,meaningitismore
flexibleandmoreattractiveto
smalleremployers.So,ineffect,
wehavethepotentialfor40
fully-fundedplacements
including32frontlinecareroles
andeightcentralteamsupport
roles,includingadmin,
training,healthandsafety,
humanresources,socialmedia,
IT,propertyliaisonand
buildingsmaintenance,toadd
alotofextravaluetowhatwe
canoffertothepeopleneeding
oursupport.
ManyoftheKickstart
peoplewehaveappointedlost
previousjobsbecauseofCovid
peopleaged16to24.
InNorthDevon,Kickstart
ismanagedbyJobcentrePlus
throughSaharaStockwell,
Kickstartdistrictaccount
manageratDepartmentfor
WorkandPensionsDevon&
Cornwall,andcolleagueTony
George,employeradviser.
“Lotsofemployershave
madebidsthathavebeen
accepted,”saysSahara.“We
promotethesetothework
coacheswhopromotethemto
jobseekers.Thereisahuge
numberofjobseekersand
orareuniversityorcollege
graduatesnewtothejob
marketwithCovidmakingit
difficultforthemtofindwork.
Ifwecanretainmostofthe
Kickstartemployeesbeyond
thesix-monthplacement,then
itsavesonourfuture
recruitmentcosts,sousing
Kickstartreallyisa‘nobrainer’!
OurKickstartworkrecently
featuredonBBCTVSpotlight
andonBBCRadioDevon,
wherewealsohighlightedthe
experiencesofparentsand
familiesnowbeingableto
recommencetheirvisitstotheir
familymemberlivinginour
residentiallodges.Covidhas
separatedfamiliesfromtheir
lovedoneswesupportandwe
haveusedothermeansof
communicationtokeepthem
intouchincludingvideos,
ZOOM,photographsandour
EyeGazetechnology.
George Stocker
GeorgeStockermovedfrom
losinghissalesjobduring
Covidtounemployedtothe
roleofpropertyliaisonofficer
withtheTrust.Georgehasa
firstclassbusinessdegreeand
seestheKickstartopportunity
youngpeoplearegetting
fantasticopportunities.
“Employershavetooffer
wrap-aroundsupport,helping
keepCVsuptodateand
providingrelevanttraining.”
ReadaboutNorthDevon
jobseekersandemployers
benefitingfromKickstarton
pages12to14.
■ Visitgov.uk/kickstartorto
discussopportunities,contact
SaharaStockwell
sahara.stockwell@dwp.gov.uk
orTonyGeorge
tony.george@dwp.gov.uk
as“careerchangingandareal
eyeopenerintotheworldof
thecaresector–abrilliant
opportunity”.
Cerys Pilman
CerysPilmanlostherjobin
thelocalhospitalitytradeand
seesherKickstartsupport
workeropportunitywiththe
Trustas“lifechanginganda
newcareerpath”.
Jobcentre Plus support
Wehavehadthebonusof
supportfromtheBidefordJob
CentrethroughSahara
Stockwellandherwork
coaches.Theworkcoachesrefer
youngpeoplefortheTrust’s
Kickstartrolesandsupport
themintheirjobsearches.
Sahararecentlyfeatured
withtheTrustinaspecial
KickstartShowcaseEvent
involvingMimsDavies,
MinisterforEmployment.The
Trustnowworksintrue
partnershipwiththeDWPand
JobcentrePlusinjoining
togethertoofferreal
employmentopportunitiesto
youngpeopleinNorthDevon.
■ Visitnorthamcaretrust.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 13
KICKSTART NEWS
Accessible wellness live or virtually
The Kickstart team at Aleafia Fitness and Wellbeing Centre in Barnstaple: (from left) Kaia, Gaia, Beth and Bonnie
The fitness sectorhasbeen
oneofthehardesthitduring
lockdowns,butthishasnot
stoppedLaurenLepley-Caldon
fromstartingupAleafiaFitness
andWellbeingCentrein
GammonWalk,Barnstaple.
Laurenhadplannedtoopenin
April2020,although
restrictionspostponedthe
openinguntilAugust.
Laurensaysthedelayin
openinggavethemmoretime
tolistentowhatpeoplewant
andtocomebackwithmore
ideas.Thisincludedmore
facilitiesformumsandholistic
treatmentsandtherapies.
Accessible wellness
LaurenselectedAleafiaasthe
businessnametoreflecttheaim
ofmakingwellnessaccessibleto
all.Itsmeaningis“tobeinthe
stateorconditionofgood
physicalandmentalhealth”.
Toachievethis,thecentre
includesgymspaceand
equipment,facilitiesformassage
andtherapies,thePlantBarcafé
and,fromMay,anewcrèche.
Michele,Lauren’shusband,
isheadcoachatthecentreand
workswithanumberof
freelancetrainersand
practitioners.Heaimstoteach
andeducateindepthtohelp
peopleovercomeeverydaylife
challengestheyface,usingas
histoolsnutrition,fitnessand
mentalwellbeing.
Supporting young people
Inadditiontosupportingits
clients,Aleafiaisworkingto
supportyoungpeopleby
offeringfourworkplacements
throughtheGovernment’s
Kickstartscheme.
DevonandPlymouth
ChamberofCommerce
completedtheapplicationand
SaharaStockwellmanagedthe
processforJobcentrePlus.
“Saharadiscussedeachof
therolesandwenttothe
jobsearchcoachestofindthe
candidates,”saysLauren.“She
madeitreallyeasyanditwasa
verysmoothexperience.Itwas
verywellmanaged.”
Aleafiahaswelcomedfour
Kickstartteammembers:Beth–
marketingandsocialmedia
assistant;Bonnie–personaland
businessassistant;Gaia–crèche
assistantandsustainability
leader;andKaia–frontof
house.Laurenishopingtheir
positionswillbecome
permanentattheendoftheir
placementsandisreallypleased
withtheircontributions.
“Theyhaveallworkedhard
andcompletedcourses.
Everyoneisavailabletodevelop
ineveryarea.”
Developing services
Withtheconstraintsimposed
bylockdown,Laurenandher
teamhaveappliedtheir
ingenuitytodevelopservices
thathelpclientstocontinue
improvingtheirfitnessand
wellbeingwhilethecentreis
closedforclasses.
TheresultisAleafia:
WellnessOnDemand,asuiteof
morethan50virtualwellness
sessionsthatisexpanding
weekly.Classesrangefrom
workoutstoyoga,barre,
cooking,meditation,dance
HIIT,dancefitness,dance
combat,stretchesandmore.
Therearesessionstosuitall
levelsandclientscancreate
theirowntimetablewithclasses
from10to60minutes,both
one-offsessionsandseries.
Classesaredeliveredviathe
Aleafia:WellnessOnDemand
app,whichclientscan
downloadtobookand
schedulesessions,watchprerecordedworkoutsand
wellnessseminars,andjoinin
livevirtualclasses.
Laurendidnotexpectto
developvirtualclassessosoon
andtheseweredrivenbythe
necessitycreatedbylockdown.
Theyhavebeensopopularthat
theywillcontinuetorun
alongsidethereopenedcentre.
Accessible fitness
Inlinewiththeaimofmaking
wellnessaccessibletoall,
Aleafia’sservicesareaffordable.
Clientscanchoosetopayfora
one-offliveclass,purchaseone
monthofunlimitedclassesor
buythreemonthsata
discount.Unlimited
OnDemandclassesarealso
availableforonemonthor
threemonthswithadiscount.
Justasimportantly,Aleafia’s
centreisverywelcomingso
thateveryonefeelscomfortable
andateaseontheirjourneyto
fitnessandwellbeing.
■ Details01271370127or
aleafia.co
14 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
NEGLIGENCE KICKSTART
Games dream turns into reality
A dream to publish video
gamesisbecomingareality
withthedevelopmentof
VoxStoryinBarnstaple.Lex
Barrowhasrunasuccessful
Barnstaplesoftwareandapp
developmentbusinesssince
2012,butin2020formed
CurrentYearGamingto
developVoxStory,acinematic
takeontabletoproleplaying.
Kickstart boosts resource
Recently,Lexsoughtto
increasethegame’s
developmentresourcewiththe
aimoflaunchingitin2021.
WithassistancefromTony
GeorgeofJobcentrePlusand,
usingDevonandPlymouth
ChamberofCommerceasits
gateway,thecompany
recruitedsixnewteam
membersonplacements
throughtheGovernment’s
Kickstartscheme,witha
seventhvacancyinprogress.
Ashley(whowasreferredby
thescheme,butpassedtheage
limitbeforesigningup),
James,Freya,Jamie,Phoebe
andJaydehaveincreasedthe
VoxStoryteamto12.
Lexisdelightedwiththe
boosttographicdesignand
PRtheKickstartjoinersare
achievingandhopesthe
companycanretainthemat
theendoftheirplacements.
Social gaming
Asanavidgamer,after
questioningwhynoonehad
everdevelopedagame
combiningtheessenceof
tabletoproleplayandmodern
onlinegaming,Lexdecidedto
developithimself.
HisaimisforVoxStoryto
updatetraditionaltabletop
gamingwithadigital,
cinematicaspect.While
keepingtruetothefeeland
gameplayoftabletop
roleplayinggames,thebig
screenexperienceletsplayers
seetheircharacters’actions
playoutalongsidetheirteam
members,fullyimmersing
everyoneinthegameplay.
“It’saverysocialgame,”
saysLex.“Wewantedto
enhanceexistinggamingand
makeitcinematicsothat
playerssitaroundabigTV
screen,tellingthestory
togetherandhavingalaugh.”
Onlyonepersonhasto
purchasethefullgameandall
otherplayerscanusethefree
characterappontheirsmart
phoneswhenplayingtogether.
Furthercopiesneedonlybe
purchasedtoplayremotely.
Smoother storytelling
LexbelievesVoxStory’s
Peak
Online
combinationoftraditional
gameplaywithadigital
platformenablessmoother
storytelling.
TheGameMastercreatesa
gameworldontheirPCor
laptop,whichtheyshareona
largerscreenorviaaprojector.
Theplayersconnecttheir
characterstothegameworld
viatheappontheirsmart
phones,tablets,PCsorlaptops.
Playersrolldiceto
determinewhathappensand
actions.Dicecanberolled
digitallyorplayerscanroll
physicaldiceandentereach
rollintothegamemanually.
Thedigitalaspectmakesitfar
easiertokeeptrackof
inventory,spellslots,hitpoints
andothergamemechanics.
VoxStoryisdesignedtobe
intuitivesothatitappealsto
playersofallagesandabilities
andappealstotheworldwide
marketofgamers.
■ Detailsvoxstory.comor
followonFacebook,
InstagramandTwitter
ONE COMPLETE ONLINE SOLUTION
Vox Story's Kickstart team: (from left - back) Ashley, James, Freya, (front)
Jamie, Phoebe and Jayde
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 15
north
devon
businessACTIVISTS
QI need to start
selling online.
Where do I
start with an online
shop?
A Twokeyconsiderations
beforedivingstraightinto
anewonlineshopare:theweb
siteplatformandyour
marketingplan.
Therearemanywebsite
platformsavailablethattargeta
rangeofabilitiesandbudgets.I
liketoplacewebsiteplatforms
infourcategories:(1)Wix(2)
Shopify(3)WordPress(4)PHP
Framework.
Alotofpeopleareattracted
toWixandShopifyduetothe
lowcostandbuild-it-yourself
service,butfurtherdownthe
roadfindlimitationswithWix
andongoingtransactionfees
fromShopify.
WordPressisthemost
widelyusedcontent
managementsystem(CMS)
platformandcanhandlealmost
anythingyouneedyourweb
sitefor.
PHPFrameworkwillbe
yourmostexpensiveoption
andnotnecessaryforalotof
onlinesellers.
Havingamarketingplanis
keytoanynewwebsitesuccess.
Whenyouopenastoreonthe
highstreet,yougainpassingby
QWhat are the
best guidelines
for giving
credit to customers?
A Whenyou’resellingto
anotherbusiness,they
oftenexpectnottohavetopay
straightaway.Butallowing
customerscredithasacostand
canbearisktoyourbusiness,
sowhatshouldyouthinkabout
beforeyougoahead?
DoIhavetooffercustomers
credit?No.It’simportantto
understandwhatworksforyou,
notjustwhatyouthinkis
expected.Acashflowforecastis
essentialhere.Itwillhelpyou
WEB SITES
Andrew Bowers
Owner
Peak Online
t: 01237 721256
w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS
trade.Anewwebsiteislikea
shoponadistanthill–youmust
divertcustomerstofindyou.
Onlinemarketingoptions
aresearchengineoptimisation
(SEO),socialmedia,payper
click(PPC),emailmarketing,
and,averyeffectivetool,
affiliatemarketing.Affiliate
marketingiswhenyoupay
commissiontootherwebsites
fordivertinguserswhothen
makepurchases.
Ifyoudon’thaveexperience
intheseservices,it’simportant
tositdownwithanexpertand
planyourstrategywithyour
monthlybudget.
Susie Kevern
Chartered Management Accountant
PoundLane
t: 07801 199671
w: poundlane.co.uk
seetheimpactofdelaysin
gettingpaid.
QWhy is it
important for
businesses to
support staff with
their mental health?
How can I do this?
A Allemployeeshave
‘mentalhealth’andall
businesseshavea
responsibilitytosupportstaff.
Chronicstressthatisnot
addressedcanleadtoClinical
Burnout.Thispresentsas
severefatigue,anxiety,
concentrationandother
cognitivedifficulties,cantake
alongtimetorecoverfrom
andcanmakedoinganormal
jobalmostimpossible.What
processescanyouputinplace
tostaveoffstaffburnout?
►Developacultureof
acceptance:Ashumans,
multiplefactorsaffectour
mentalhealth.Theseinclude
ourhomeandworklivesalong
withourdifferingnaturesand
theimpactothershaveonus.
Allemployeeshavegoodand
baddays–weallneeda
supportiveworkenvironment
tofunctioneffectively.
►Openupanon-judgemental
dialogue:Associalcreatures,
weneedtotalkandbeheard
soputongoingsystemsin
place–don’twaituntil
Whataboutdiscounts?
Somefirmsofferasmall
discountforpromptpayment.
Ifyouincludethecostof
offeringcreditinyourprices,
youcanaffordtogive
somethingawayforquicker
payment.It’salsoworth
rememberingthatsome
customerspreferadirectdebit
optionasthisreducestheir
adminburdenwhilegivingyou
moresecurity.
I’mworriedifIdon’tgetpaid
nowImightnotgetpaidatall.
Youneedtoworkouthow
muchcredityoufeel
comfortablegiving.Thebest
planistostartsmallandlook
tobuildarelationship:
►Makesureyouhaveallthe
detailsyouneedfornew
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Kelly Smith
Counsellor
Devon Counselling Training
t: 07522 841009
w: devoncounsellingtraining.co.uk
employeesarestruggling. This
wouldideallyinclude:access
toaneutraloutletsuchas
external,professional
supervision,structuredpeer
supportandwheretogoif
theyarestruggling.
►Matchpeoplewithjobs:Be
personcentredinappraisals.
Bebraveenoughtotuneinto
employees’motivations.Job
satisfactionisthemainfactor
affectingjobretention.
►Considerflexibleworking:
Thinkoutsidetheboxwith
this.Thiscanmakeahuge
impactonwork-lifebalance
andthereforestaffstresslevels.
►Stafftrainingtoactively
improvetheirmentalhealth:
DCToffersProfessional
Supervision,Counselling
Servicesandbespoke
EmotionalResilienceTraining
fororganisations.
customers:therightnamesand
phonenumbers
►Askforreferencesfrom
currentsuppliersandmake
sureyoufollowthemup
►Keepyourbookkeepingup
todatesothatyouknowhow
muchyouareowed
►Sendstatementsand
remindersBEFOREthe
paymentisdue
►Mostimportantly,speakto
yourcustomersregularly;check
theyhaveyourinvoicesandask
whentoexpectpayment.
Handledwell,offeringcredit
canhelpyougrowyour
businessbutmakesureyou
operategoodcreditcontrol:a
friendlyphonecallwon’tcause
offenceandcanbuildvaluable
businessconnections.
16 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Q&A ~ your business questions answered
north
enterprise
devon
growth
news
innovation
& views
Q Having
reached the
age of 50,
what should I look
for in my investment
strategy ?
A Beforeanyother
investment,useyour
PensionInvestment
Allowances.Theyarethebest
wayofinvestingmoneygoing.
Justforgettheword‘pension’.
Youcanputmoneyin,the
taxmanwilladd25%toyour£1
and,ifwanted,youcanpullit
alloutagainimmediately.
Whereelsecanyoumake25%
fornothing?Ifyoupayhigher
tax,youalsosaveextrathrough
yourtaxreturns.Youcaneven
investifyouhaveinvestments
inotherpensionand
superannuationschemes.
Foremployeesandtheselfemployed,youmayhaveno
earnings,butyoucanstillpayin
£2,880perannumnetandthe
taxmanwillgiveyou£720.You
canberetired(under75)and
evenreceivingpensionsanddo
FINANCE
Philip Milton
Managing Director
Philip J Milton & Company plc
t: 01271 344300
w: miltonpj.net
thesame.Ifyourearningsare
£12,570(sopayingnotax),
contributetoapensionand
receiveataxbonusof£2,514.
AndbecauseyouCAN
accessallthepotifyouareover
55(57from2028),thenwhyon
earthkeepemergencymoney
inacashaccountorcashISA
whenyoucanmakeacool25%
stillknowingthatinan
emergencyyoucangrabit?
Youcouldevenkeepthe
pensionincash,sonorisk.Do
this‘executiononly’withan
adviserlikeusandthereisno
costinvolvedinset-upeither.
Who can you ask?
Business owners are not ‘born’ and must learn how to run a business as
they go along. It’s not always clear who to ask when we have questions
about what to do.
QNow seems a
good time to
see if my
business idea works.
How should I start?
A Theuncertaintycreatedby
Coronavirusisleading
manypeopletoovercome
fearsthathaveheldthemback.
Startinganewbusinessis
oftenseenasahighrisk,
especiallyifyouhavetoresign
fromasecure,well-paidjob
andneedtoearnenoughto
supportyourselfandfamily.
However,youdon’thaveto
giveupnecessarysecurityto
developyourbusinessidea
andsomepeoplearedoing
thisintheirsparetimetohave
agoatachievingtheirdream.
Financeisoftenthefirst
barrier,butyouprobablywon’t
needlotsofmoneytostart
testingyourideainasmall
waytoseewhatworksand
whatdoesn’t.Whatyoudo
needistimeandcommitment.
BUSINESS START-UPS
Robert Zarywacz
Partner
Zarywacz
t: 01271 879100
w: z2z.com
It’sunlikelyyouwillsell
anythinguntilyougetyour
productsorservicesright,so
don’tborrowmoney.You
mightwanttosavesomeof
yourearningstofinance
materialsorequipment,orasa
cushionwhenyoufeelitisthe
righttimetogo‘solo’.
Workwithwhatyou’vegot
andtakesmallstepssothat
youprogresssteadilyeveryday.
Askquestions.Askother
businesspeople.Askour
BusinessActivists.Andface
yourfearstodevelopyour
businessideasandsucceed.
Thank you to our Business Activists for offering their time and expertise to
answer your questions.
We publish their contact details, as they are also happy to talk through
general enquiries and offer guidance, although will charge when you
require them to give specific professional advice.
If something is holding you back in your business, ask someone. Ask a
friend in business, ask a business you use, ask our Business Activists.
Someone will have the answer or be able to point you in the right direction.
Helping each other helps all our businesses and leads to greater prosperity
for all.
IMPORTANT: The answers on these pages are intended only as general
information. You should seek specific professional advice before taking any
action in relation to your own business.
Ask the Activists
Send business questions you have by email to
ask@business-action.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 17
Garage accredited to service electric cars
North Devonisgearingupfor
theelectriccarrevolutionina
bigway.BlightsMotorsof
Bidefordhasbeensellingfull
electricMGmodelssincelate
2019andin202030%ofits
newcarsaleswereelectric.
“WenowhavethefullyelectricZSEVSUV,MG5EV
EstatecarandMGHSPlugIn
Hybridmodels,”saysdirector
TimBlight.
“Wereceivecomments
suchas‘loveelectric,wouldn’t
gobacktopetrol’and‘far
cheapertorunandservice’.”
Aswellassellingelectric
cars,Blightscanserviceand
maintainanymakeofelectric
carasanaccreditedmember
ofHEVRA(Hybridand
ElectricVehicleRepair
Alliance–hevra.org.uk).
“HEVRAmembergarages
areinspectedtomakesure
theyhavetherighttoolsand
technicianqualificationsto
workonelectricandhybrid
carscorrectlyandsafely,”adds
Tim.“AndasanMGfranchise
allourstaffincluding
technicians,salesstaffand
valeters,aretrainedonelectric
andhybridcarstobeawareof
theirdifferentrequirements.
“AtBlightsMotorswealso
havearapidchargeronour
forecourtwhichenablesmost
electricvehiclestochargetoa
fullbatteryin40minutes.”
BlightsMotorsalsoadvises
onallaspectsofpurchasingan
electriccar,including
governmentincentives.
Currently,theGovernment
offersaplug-incargrant
whichprovidesa£2,500
discountonthelistpriceof
approvedelectriccarswhich
haveamaximumlistpriceof
£35,000.Thereisalsoagrant
towardsthecostofinstallinga
homechargerofupto£350
percharger.
■ Details01237472282or
blightsmotors.co.uk
B&B leads the way with car charging point for guests
It’s not only the motor trade
respondingtotheintroduction
ofelectriccars.Withholiday
accommodationproviderskeen
toprovideallfacilitiestheir
guestsrequire,someare
startingtocaterforelectriccars.
TheEarlsdaleBedand
BreakfastinIlfracomberecently
installeda7Kwcarcharging
pointforguests,makingitone
ofthefirstbusinessesinthe
towntoofferthisfacility.
“Wehadseveralgueststhat
arrivedwithEVsorHybrids
anditwouldhavebeenreally
nicetohavebeenabletooffer
themachargepointatThe
Earlsdale.”saysLewisDaniels.
“WehavehadanEVcharge
pointonourwishlistsincewe
openedinearly2019.With
limitedchargingoptionsinthe
localarea,wewantedtomake
sureweofferedourguestsa
chargepoint,andwithmore
EVssettoappearinthenext
fewyears,itwasimportantto
ustostaycurrent.Wealso
strivetominimiseourimpact
ontheenvironmentandwe
believethatelectricvehiclesfit
wellwithourethosfora
sustainablyrunestablishment.
ELECTRIC CARS
The MG5 EV estate available from Blights Motors. Photo: Robert Zarywacz
Car charges: (from left) Lewis and James, owners of The Earlsdale in
Ilfracombe with their new car charging point. Photo: ilfracombefocus.co.uk
“Wehavehadgoodfeedback
sofarwithlotsofpeople
mentioningthattheyhaveseen
it.VisitIlfracombealsoshared
ourpostsonlineregardingthe
installationandtheyagreeit
willbeanincreasingly
importantfactorforvisitorsto
thetowninthenearfuture.”
Ready for the new season
“Weareveryexcitedtobereopeningon17Mayandare
hopingforabusyseason.We
aremakingsureweincorporate
socialdistancingandother
enhancedmeasuresthatwere
inplacein2020intothe2021
season.Wehaveused
lockdowntoensurethe
buildingisatitsbest,witha
newlyrenovateddiningroom
(completewithnewmenu)and
upgradedbedrooms.Wehave
alsousedthetimetostartafull
refurbishmentoftheoriginal
sashwindowsandhavehad
twonewleadroofsinstalled.
Wehavealsogotasmartnew
greycolourschemeforthe
frontofthebuilding,whichwe
hopeiswelllikedbyvisitors
andlocalsalike.”
■ Details01271863653or
theearlsdale.co.uk
18 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
My priorities as a driverare
differenttowhattheywerein
my20sandmyenvironmental
considerationshaveovertaken
manyotherconcerns.
FordecadesIhavelikedthe
conceptofelectriccarsand,
whileunderstandingthatall
transportplacesdemandson
theenvironment,hopethat
electricvehicleswillenableus
toreducetheseconsiderably.
Withthisinmind,the
invitationtotestdrivetheMG5
EVSWexcitedme,becauseit
wouldbemyfirstexperienceof
drivinganelectriccar.
Simple controls
WhenTimBlight,who
managesBlights’carsales,ran
throughthecontrolswithme,
theyseemedalmosttoosimple.
Anacceleratorpedalanda
brakepedal,andlargeknob
withN(eutral),D(rive)and
R(everse)settings.
TimmademadesureI
realisedthat,onceinDrive,the
caracceleratedswiftly.AndsoI
setoffonmyown.
WhiletheMGEVSWlooks
andfeelsjustasyouwould
expectofacar,drivingit
definitelyfeelsdifferent.
Accelerationisbothinstant,
withnolagafteryoupressthe
pedal,and,withnopausesfor
gearchanges,continuous.
Regenerativebrakingkicks
inwhenyouliftyourfootoff
theaccelerator,whichmeans
thatthecarslowsofitsown
accordandrequireslessuseof
thebrakepedal.Regenerative
brakingusesthedrivemotorto
regenerateelectricityandslow
thecardown.
Whilemytestdrivewas
necessarilylimitedatthistime
duetorestrictions,Iwouldbe
interestedinalongerdriveto
experiencedifferentconditions,
suchasmotorways.Thiswould
testtheMG’sthreedrivemodes
–Eco,NormalandSport–
whichenableyoutochoosethe
modemostsuitableforyour
journeyrequirements.There
arealsothreelevelsof
regenerativebrakingto
improvebrakingandoptimise
batterychargeusage.
Charging and range
Aswellasspeed,chargingtime
andrangearemanypeople’s
topconcernswhenconsidering
electriccars.
Electric Avenue
The MG5 EV comes to North Devon
MG5 EV controls: well laid out and easy to use. Photo: Robert Zarywacz
Iwassurprisedtolearnthat
youcanchargetheMG5EV
SWbypluggingitintoan
ordinarythree-pinsocket,
althoughitwilltake18hoursto
reach100%.Afasteroptionis
toinstallahome7kWfast
charger,costingaround£400,
thatwillreducethisto8.5
hours,whilepublicrapid
chargingpointscansupplyan
80%chargein40–50minutes.
Afullchargewillcarryyou
for214milesincombined
conditionsor276milesin
urbanenvironments.
The MG5 EV as a car
Withsomuchfocusonfuel
type,Ididn’twanttoforgetthat
anelectriccaristheretodo
whatanyothercardoes:
conveyyou,yourpassengers
andyourluggagefromone
placetoanotherinrelative
comfort.TheMG5iscertainly
comfortableand,whilemy
focuswasprimarilyonthe
ELECTRIC CARS
A long time coming, affordable electric vehicles are now a reality.
While the environmental pros and cons are complex, editor Robert
Zarywacz broadly welcomes the concept and took up an invitation
from Blights Motors in Bideford to test drive the new MG5 EV SW
road,Ifeltcompletelyateasein
thedrivingseat.Ialsotookthe
opportunitytositintherear
seatsandfeelthatitwouldbe
spaciousandcomfortablefor
mostpassengersonalong
journey.Whenyou’respending
hoursinacar,thismakesall
thedifferenceand,asa
passenger,I’veexperienceda
fairfewcarsthathavefelt
crampedevenwhenmaking
shortjourneys.
AsthefirstEVestateonthe
market,theMG5has464litres
ofbootspace,increasingto
1,456litreswiththerearseats
foldeddown.Asforequipment,
theMG5EVincludesmostthe
ofthefeaturesyouwould
expect,includingrearparking
sensors,airconditioning,6-
speakeraudiosystem,satellite
navigation,andApple,Android
andBluetoothconnectivity.The
ExclusivemodelIdrove
includeskeylessentrywith
The MG5 EV is the first EV estate on the market. Photo: Robert Zarywacz
push-buttonenginestart,
heatedfrontseatandfolding
doormirrors.
The MG experience
Aswellasmyfirsttimedriving
anelectriccar,thiswasalsomy
firstexperienceofthelatest
incarnationoftheMGmarque.
OwnedbySAIC,MGcarsare
nowdesignedinMarylebone,
Londonandmanufacturedin
China,supportedbyengineers
inLongbridge.
Thecompanyisheavily
committedtotheUKmarket
andDanielGregorious,headof
salesatMGMotors,hassaidin
Autocarthat“Britishnessisa
vitalcomponentofitsoffer”.Its
UKsuccesswasdemonstrated
whenitsecuredpre-ordersfor
itsfirstbatchof1,000ofitsZS
EVmodelinjusttwoweeks.
Aswellasleveragingthe
marque’slongmotoringhistory,
MGisachievingcurrent
successthroughitscars’high
leveloftechnology,affordability
andseven-yearguarantee.
Verdict
Ihadnopre-conceptionsbefore
testdrivingtheMG5EV,either
aboutelectriccarsorMG.On
theday,Iwasimpressed.
Thecontrolsareclearand
welllaidout,therideissmooth
anditmanoeuvreseasily.While
itsvisualappearanceandfeel
aresomewhatlowkey,atthe
endofmyshorttestdriveIwas
sorrytohandbackthekeys.
It’snotsurprisingthatwith
theMG5EVExcitemodel
listedatjust£24,495onthe
road,WhichEVrecently
selecteditfortheirBestValue
EVAward2020andTotallyEV
namedittheirBestBuy2021.
The future is electric
It’sclearthatelectriccarsarein
theirinfancyandthatwe’llsee
rapiddevelopmentaswe
approachtheGovernment’s
deadlinetoendsalesofnew
petrolanddieselcarsby2030.
Muchworkisstillneededto
reducetheenvironmental
impactofallvehicles,from
manufacturetouseand
eventualdisposalorrecycling.
EncounteringtheMG5EV
demonstrateshowelectriccars
arebecomingpartofourlives.
■ Detailsmg.co.ukorBlights
Motorson01237472282or
blightsmotors.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 19
LEISURE HEADER
An ideaforkeepingpeople
entertainedduringlockdown
hasdevelopedintoabusiness.
MiniGolf2U,basedin
Barnstaple,nowprovides
entertainmentforparties,
celebrationsathome,
corporateevents,residential,
retirementandchildren’s
homesandmanymoreevents
inavarietyoflocations.
Thebusinesswasstartedin
August2020byGraham
Atkinsonandwasalmostfully
bookedupforitsfirstmonth.
Entertainment for
every occasion
Grahamthoughtthewinter
wouldbemorechallenging,
butwashappilysurprisedby
thelevelofbookings.
Customerscanselectthe
sizeofcoursetheyrequire,
fromfourto18holesora
monsternineholes.Theycan
hirethecoursefromtwohours
upwards,evenovernight.The
coursecanbeusedindoorsor
outdoorsand,beingfully
weatherproof,canbesetupin
customers’gardens.
Thebusinesstookoffduring
lockdownbecausethecourse
canbesetupoutside,paidfor
withacontactlesscard,then
collectedandsanitised,ready
forthenextcustomer.
Aswellasprovidingfunat
privatecelebrations,MiniGolf
2Uhasbeenentertaining
customersatAffinityDevon
andhasbeenbookedfora
numberofNorthDevonevents
in2021.Itisidealforusein
warehousesandemptyoffices
forbusinesspartiesorteam
buildingandcanbesetupin
holidayhomesforvisitors.
■ Details01271316740or
minigolf2u.co.uk
Weʼre ready when you are
☑
Business networking
☑
Meetings & events
☑
Training seminars
☑
Team building
☑
Dining
01271 862446
stay@ilfracombecarlton.co.uk
ilfracombecarlton.co.uk
20 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
AWARDS
business
ACTION AWARDS
2021
North Devon’s independent business awards
And the finalists are . . .
Thank youtoallbusinesses
whohaveenteredourBusiness
ActionNorthDevonBusiness
Awards2021andeveryonewho
hasnominatedbusinesses.
Intheseuncertaindays,we
hadnoideahowmanyentries
wewouldreceive,sowewere
delightedwiththetotalof103
entries–almostthesameaslast
year’sawards.
Mindyou,youdidmakeus
holdourbreath.
Suchalargenumberof
entriesweresentonthefinal
weekendandMondaydeadline
day.Itwasabitlikeelection
nightwhentheresultsfloodin.
Itisclearthatentrantshave
spentalotoftimeandeffortin
preparingentriesandwethank
youallforthis.
Judging the categories
Thank youonceagaintoour
awardsjudgeswhohavegiven
uptheirtimetoreadyour
entries,lookatwebsites,then
choosefinalistsandwinners.
Allourjudgesarereal
businesspeopleandeitherrun
ormanagebusinessesinor
nearNorthDevon.They
understandthereality,
As an extra thankyoutoall
theentrantsinourbusiness
awards,eachonewasentered
intoafreeprizedrawtowin
anadvertisingpackage
comprisingabusinesscard
advertinsixissuesofBusiness
Actionmagazineworth£150.
Eachentrantwasassigneda
numberandoneofourjudges
thenpickedanumber,unaware
ofthebusinesschosen.
challenges,disappointments
andexhilarationofstartingand
runningabusiness.Whobetter
tojudgebusinessawards?
Eachofourjudgesis
independentandhasagreed
nottoentertheirbusinessin
theawards.Webelievethisis
vitaltoensuretransparency
andfairness.
Youcanreadaboutoureight
judgesonpage23.
High quality of entries
Thebiggestchallengeofawards
isdecidingwhoshouldwin.
Thequalityofbusinesses
enteringthisyearwas
exceptionallyhigh,makingthe
judges’decisionsverydifficult.
Insomecategories,there
weremanyworthyentrants.
Thiswasthecaseinthe
OutstandingNewBusiness
category,whichattractedmore
than20entries.
Wewereastoundedto
discovermoreincredible
businessesandhopetofeature
manyoftheseinfutureissues
ofthismagazine.
Sponsors support
Thank youtootoallour
sponsorswhosesupportenables
ustoruntheawards.
Organisingandpublicising
theawardstakesalotoftime
andtheyrequirealotofspacein
thismagazine,whichneedsto
bepaidfor.Sponsorshiphelpsto
coverallthis.
Pleasereadaboutallour
generoussponsorsoverthe
followingpages.
The finalists
Atlast,youcandiscoverwho
thefinalistsareinthe12awards
categoriesonpages24to29.
Announcement of winners
Whenweplannedourfirst
awardsin2020,wescheduledall
thedatesmeticulously,onlyfor
lockdownstoblastthe
programmetopiecesandwe
hurriedlypreparedaseriesof
videostoannouncethewinners.
Wehadhopedthatbythis
yearwewouldatlastbeableto
holdanawardseventwherewe
couldannouncethewinnersin
BUSINESS-ACTION.CO.UK/AWARDS
Advertising prize
draw winner is . . .
Wearedelightedthatthe
winneroftheadvertising
packageis...
Milk’s Up!
Congratulations!
Milk’sUp!launchedon1
April2020andprovidesgently
pasteurisedorganicwhole
milkproducedonafamily
farmbetweenGeorgehamand
Croyde.Thebusinesssupports
personandenjoyamassive
networkingparty.
Onceagain,thislooks
unlikelyandweapologisefor
thedisappointment.
Atpresent,wearepreparing
toannouncethewinnersonline
andwillpublishdetailsshortly.
We’ll meet some day
Wearedeterminedtoholdan
eventtocelebratebothour2020
and2021winnersinperson
whenconditionsareright.
Thankyouforyourpatience.
The excitement begins
Wehopeyouareexcitedto
discoverallthefinalistslisted
overthefollowingpagesand
lookforwardtofindingout
whowillwintheBusiness
ActionNorthDevonBusiness
Awards2021.
■ business-action.co.uk/awards
Special Award
Judgeswereparticularly
impressedwiththeyoungest
entrantintheawards–Kye
Woods–at14yearsold.
InrecognitionofKye’s
outstandingdemonstrationof
enterprisewewillbepresenting
himwithaspecialaward.
fourmembersofthefamily.
Thecowsaregrassfedand
organicwhichgivesthemilka
sweetcreamytastelikeice
cream–differenttoanymilk
youwouldfindinthe
supermarket.Theorganicmilk
issoldthroughavending
machine,withnoplastic
involved,andcustomerscan
reusetheircontainers.
■ milksup.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 21
HEADER
22 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS
Susie Kevern
Pound Lane
Financial Management
SusieKevernisaChartered
ManagementAccountantwith
20years’experienceworkingin
businesseslargeandsmall.
Overthepast10yearsshehas
builtanindependent
consultancyadvisinggrowing
businessesonmanagingtheir
financestosecurehealthy
profitsandstablecashflow.
Currently,herclients
includenationallyrecognised
brandsaswellaslocal
businesses,insectorsranging
fromprofessionalservices
firmstomanufacturingand
retailbusinesses.
■ Details07801199671or
poundlane.co.uk
MANUFACTURING
Vikas Mahajan
Aramis Rugby
VikasMahajanfoundedAramis
Rugby(Europe)in2000and
officiallytookontheroleof
leadingAramisRugbyLtd
(worldwide)inAugust2013.
BorninIndia,Vikasisthe
thirdgenerationinafamily
businessestablishedsince
1927.Hegraduatedfrom
universitywithadegreein
Economics,Businessand
Accountancy.Inthemidnineties,heattainedaMaster’s
degreeinInternational
Businesswithspecialisationin
tradewiththeEuropean
Union.Hethentrainedwith
LufthansaAirlinesatits
CustomerLoyaltyprogramme
divisioninNewDelhi.Inthe
late1990s,heattainedhis
secondMaster’sdegreein
BusinessAdministration
(MBA)fromBremen
University,Germanywitha
Mike Matthews
Lineal Software Solutions
MikeMatthewsismanaging
directorofBarnstaple-based
LinealSoftwareSolutions,
whichbeganinthe1980sasa
businessapplicationsoftware
provider(accounts,stock,
MRP),andhasgrownto
becomeacomprehensive,
multidisciplinaryITcompany
withateamof25+employees.
AWARDS HEADER
Meet our awards judges
specialisationinGlobal
Managementand
Entrepreneurship.Today,allof
AramisRugbyscrum
machinessoldworldwideare
manufacturedatitsfactoryin
SouthMolton,Devonand
thenexportedworldwide.
■ Details01769550284or
aramisrugby.co.uk
PERSONAL FINANCE
Rod Martin
Together Financial Solutions
RodMartinbeganhiscareerin
financeover25yearsagoand
workedformanyyearsinthe
propertyinvestmentindustry
inLondon.Hethenmovedin
tothebankingsector,spending
severalyearsworkingwithin
themortgagesandwealth
managementsectorsduring
whichtimehealsoranhisown
businessesbothintheUKand
overseaspropertymarkets.
Rodisnowhappilysettled
backinDevonwhereheworks
withTogetherFinancialin
Barnstaplelookingafterclients’
pensionsandinvestmentsasa
FinancialPlanningAdviser.
■ Details01271346123or
togetherfinancialsolutions.co.uk
TECHNOLOGY
Mikeisformerchairmanof
theNorthDevonFederationof
SmallBusinesses(FSB)and
takesakeeninterestin
supportingNorthDevon’slocal
businessesandeconomy.Heis
afrequentspeakeratbusiness
eventsacrosstheregion.
■ Details01271375999or
lineal.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Linda Middleton-Jones
International Trade Matters
LindaMiddleton-Jonesisthe
founderandmanagingdirector
ofInternationalTradeMatters,
acompanybasedinDevon.She
iswellknowninNorthDevon
forherworkwiththeNorth
DevonManufacturing
AssociationandSWMAS.
Hercompanyadviseson
internationalstrategicgrowth
planstoaccessnewmarkets,
compliancechecks,auditsand
authorisations.Additionally,
LindaisChairmanofthe
AcademicBoardattheInstitute
ofExportandisadirectorat
DevonandPlymouthChamber
ofCommerce.
■ Details01398332881or
internationaltradematters.com
RETAIL
Helen Pedlar
Pedlars of Ilfracombe
HelenPedlarispartofa150-
year-oldIlfracombefamily
business,nowinitssixth
generation.Helen’s
involvementwiththestore
startedatanearlyagebefore
shetookabreaktostudy
Textilesatuniversity.Today
thebusinessischaracterised
byitsfriendlyandhelpfulstaff
whoarehappytobeof
assistanceandalways
preparedtogothatextramile
toensurecustomer
satisfaction.
■ DetailsatFacebook
@pedlarsofilfracombe
DESIGN
Frank Stone
Kameleon
FrankStoneisacreative
thinkerwhostartedoutonthe
designtrailin1994,launching
hisfirstbusiness20yearsago,
andcurrentlydirectorof
KameleoninBarnstaple.
Withnoformaltrainingor
qualifications,Frankhas
establishedabusinessbuilton
strongreputation,long-term
workingrelationshipsand
excellentcustomerservice,
resultinginamixofclients
largeandsmall,local,national
andinternational,someof
whomhavebeenwithhim
since1999!
■ Details01271634417or
kameleondigital.uk
PERSONAL FINANCE
Rachael Taylor
SWIG Finance
RachaelTaylorhasbeenin
financeforthepast22years,
movingtoNorthDevonin
2007whereshewasalocal
commercialmanagerfor
LloydsBank.
In2019shestartedwith
SWIGFinanceasbusiness
managercoveringDevon
whereshecontinuesto
supportSMEswiththeir
businesses.
■ Details01872223883or
swigfinance.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 23
The North Devon Business of
the Year Award 2021isonce
againsponsoredbyPhilipJ
Milton&CompanyPlc.
Thewinnerwillbeselected
bytheawardsjudgesfromthe
winnersofthe12awards
categories–businessescannot
enterthemselves.
Philip J Milton & Company plc
Wearedelightedandproudto
offerafullyindependent
financialandinvestment
planningserviceandweadvise
uponallaspectsofclients’
financialaffairs.Thecompany
continuestoexpandits
operationsandalsooffersan
AccountancyandTaxation
servicealongwithaWill
Writing,Trusts,Estatesand
ProbateDepartment.
TheCompanyisauthorised
andregulatedbytheFinancial
ConductAuthority(FCA)and
isoneofthelargestandlongest
establishedIndependent
FinancialAdvisersinNorth
Devon.Weareregulatedatone
ofthehighestavailable
AWARDS
North Devon
Business of the Year
sponsored by
categories,beingoneofavery
fewauthorisedtoundertake
discretionaryinvestment
managementandtoholdclient
money.Consequently,weare
requiredtomaintainsizeable
andverystrictfinancial
resourcesatalltimes.The
Company’saccountsaresubject
tothoroughindependentaudit
andfullaccountsarepublished
andsubmittedtotheFCA
regularly.Also,theFinancial
OmbudsmanServiceand
FinancialServices’
CompensationSchemeapplyto
enhanceinvestorprotection
againstfinancialloss.
Withwelloverthreedecades
ofexperience,wealsoboast
someofthehighestfinancial
services’qualificationsinthe
country.Staffareencouraged
andsponsoredtoachieve
qualificationsbeyondthe
industrystandardtoensure
thatwecontinuetodeliveran
excellentservicetoclients.
■ Details01271344300or
miltonpj.net
BARNSTAPLE
Advanced Scaffolding
isanaward-winning
scaffoldingcontractoroffering
affordableservices.Itachieves
thisbygivingallitscustomers
thehighestlevelsofcustomer
careandservice,experience
andexpertise.Ithasafully
qualifiedworkforceof49,and
healthandsafetymattersare
paramount.Itoffersthesame
consistentlyhighlevelofservice
forsmallorlargeprojectsand
hasnationwidecontractswith
Aldisupermarkets,Lloyds
bankandMarks&Spencer,
predominantlyinthesouthof
EnglandandWales.
■ advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk
WESTWARD HO!
Everything Westward
wasestablishedinthesummer
of2012just57stepsaway
fromtheseainWestwardHo!.
Itisaretailgiftshopselling
Devonsourcedgifts/
photography/jewellery/
cardsandinteriorsandDevon
foodanddrinkfrom70+local
suppliers.Italsooperatesa
busyonlinestoreandoffersa
freelocaldeliveryserviceto
surroundingvillages.Itsells
viaFacebookandInstagram,
andisveryactiveonthese
socialmediachannels.
■ everythingwestward.co.uk
Best Employer Finalists finalists
CLOVELLY
The Clovelly Soap Company
produceshandmadenatural
soap,skincare,bathproducts
andhomefragrance,allmade
fromnaturalingredientswith
sustainabilityattheheartof
everythingitdoes.In2020,it
movedtoanewbuildingat
theVictorianClovellySchool
soitcouldemploymorelocal
people.Theteamiskeytoits
successanditmaintainsa
collaborativeapproachto
managementtoensurethat
staffarehappyintheirwork.
■ theclovellysoapcompany.com
ILFRACOMBE
Foot Candy
providesgoodquality,
fashionableladiesfootwearat
affordableprices.Therehadnot
beenashoeshoponIlfracombe
HighStreetforanumberof
yearsuntilFootCandyopened
inSeptember2020.Thestoreis
modernandcomfortableso
thatcustomersgetthefullretail
experience.Nowladiescan
shoplocalandtreatthemselves
whenevertheywant.
■ facebook.com/FootCandyUK
SOUTH MOLTON
South Molton Scaffolding
isafamily-runscaffolding
companywithmorethan30
years’experience.Itprovidesa
scaffoldingaccessserviceatan
affordableprice,butstill
providingthehighestqualityof
healthandsafety.Itpromotesa
friendly,hardworkingethos
throughoutitsteamof25,from
newapprenticestoitshighly
trained,professional
scaffolders,friendlyofficestaff
andrightonthroughtothe
companymanagement.
■ scaffoldhirenorthdevon.co.uk
Best Retailer finalists
BARNSTAPLE
Home Sweet Home
isafamily-runkitchen
showroomandhomewares
shopwhichopenedin2019.It
providesbespokedesign
kitchensatanaffordableprice.
Allkitchensaremadetoorder
andofveryhighquality.The
homewaresshopprovides
uniqueandluxuriousitemsto
enhancecustomers’homes
andcansourceandsuggest
itemsforcustomers.
■ homesweethomeltd.co.uk
ILFRACOMBE
Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar
servesfreshlycooked,
authenticSpanishtapasand
welcomescustomerstoenjoy
thewarmthofitsserviceand
unhurried,relaxedstyleof
dining.Itemploysateamof15
inmanyrolesthatincludebar
management,waitingstaff,
chefandkitchenassistants,
kitchenporters,cleanersand
runnerswhoallworkinthe
restaurantinIlfracombe.All
itspermanentstaffhavejust
completedapprenticeships,
whichwereundertakenonfull
industrywagetoprovidethe
fullrewardfortheirwork.
■ terracetapasbar.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Sew@Home
isaspecialistshopprovidinga
varietyoffabricstoenable
consumerstocreatebeautiful
garments,developandbuildon
existingskills,uncoverhidden
talentandproducesomething
wonderfullyunique.Itwas
establishedinJuly2019bya
motheranddaughterteam.
Whenaskedforanobscure
fabricnotinstock,Sew@Home
willgoallouttosearchforit.
Duringthepandemic,ithas
providedfabricsforscrubsand
facemasks.
■ sewathome.net
24 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
AWARDS
Business-to-Business
Excellence finalists
Consumer Service
Excellence finalists
BARNSTAPLE
Cooper Golding
operatestwohigh-quality
recruitmentdivisions:Cooper
GoldingRecruitmentprovides
afullrangeofrecruitment
servicesfortheSouthWestand
beyond,whileCooperGolding
SpecialistTalentlinksspecialist
talentwithengineeringand
manufacturingbusinesses
acrosstheUK.
■ coopergolding.co.uk
ILFRACOMBE
Savona Foodservice
isanindependentfoodservice
supplier,providingatrusted,
flexiblesolutionforchefs.
Originallyknownas
IlfracombeWholesale
Grocers,itre-brandedthree
yearsago.Itemployssome160
staffwhosupportcustomers
acrossSouthWest,Southern
andCentralEngland.
■ savonagroup.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Baby Sensory North Devon
isafranchisecoveringNorth
DevonstartedinNovember
2018.Itsclassesofferafull
sensoryexperienceforparents
andbabies,including
techniquestoencourageearlier
communicationbetween
parentandbaby,andparent/
babybondingamongmany
otherthings.
■ babysensory.com/northdevon/
BARNSTAPLE
The iLab
openedin2011andhas
establisheditselfasthego-to
placeinNorthDevonforall
smartphoneandtabletsales
andrepairs.Withaclose-knit
teamofsevenstaff,itevolves
eachyearbyaddingnew
productsandservicesin
responsetodeveloping
technologyandpopulartrends.
■ theilab.co.uk
MONKLEIGH
Giffords Chartered
Accountants
offersadynamicandmodern
approachtoaccountancyand
cutting-edgetaxservices,yet
hasold-fashionedvalues,
puttingclientsfirst.Itoffers
thefullrangeofaccounts,
businessandtaxationservices,
providingfriendly,efficient
andspecialistadviceneeds.
■ giffordsca.co.uk
BIDEFORD
Smart Manufacturing
wasfoundedin1986andnow
operatesan800-squaremetre
factoryequippedwiththelatest
technologywithitsexperienced
andcapableworkforce.Ithas
addedafurther400-square
metrededicated‘clean’
assemblyareatoincrease
productivityandenhancethe
qualityofitsoperations.
■ smart-manufacturing.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Devon Podiatry
comprisesBSc(Hons)Pod
qualifiedexpertsinthefieldof
disordersofthelowerlimb,
fromgeneralfootcaretomore
complexproblemsassociated
withmusculoskeletal
dysfunction.Itoffers
individuallytailored
healthcareservicestoallage
groupsfromchildrentoadults.
■ samdolby.co.uk
ILFRACOMBE
Torrs Park Dental Practice
isanindependentfamily
practicethathasbeenoperating
formorethan100years,35of
themunderthepresentowners.
Itsteamof11offershigh
qualityholistichealthcarewith
atailoredindividualapproach
toensureeachclientreceives
theverybestcare.
■ facebook.com/
torrsparkdentalpractice
E s t . 1 9 8 3
Sustainable Corrugated Cardboard
Packaging with the environment at heart.
Packaging
Solutions for
our Planet.
Also passionate about our Community and
supporting our Charity of the Year 2021.
Roundswell Business Park,
Barnstaple, Devon, EX313TT.
+44(0)1271
344 055
sales@atlaspackaging.co.uk
www.atlaspackaging.co.uk
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 25
BARNSTAPLE
Aleafia Wellness Centre
isawellnesscentre,focusedon
holistichealth,withan
additionalonlinepresence.It
hasfiveemployees,fourof
whichareunder24,anda
numberoffreelancetrainers
andpractitioners.DuetoCovid
andthelockdowns,ithadto
rethinkhowitdeliveredits
servicestothelocalcommunity
withoutbeingabletoopenits
physicalpremises.Itcreatedthe
Aleafia:WellnessOnDemand
smartphoneapptoremedythis
problem.Itnowoffers120+
classeseachmonthliveonline
throughtheappanddesktop
option,includingyoga,
strengthandconditioning,
danceandmuchmore,allatan
affordableprice.
■ aleafia.co
ILFRACOMBE
Savona Foodservice
isanindependentfoodservice
supplier,providingatrusted,
flexiblesolutionforchefs.
Savona’sstrategicprogramme
ofsystemreplacementsto
providethelatesttechnology
solutionsisradically
improvingitscustomer
APPLEDORE
The Coffee Cabin
openedon20March2014and
pridesitselfonoffering
friendlyservicewithgreat
coffee.Itmakes99%ofwhatit
servesin-house,including
sconessweetandsavoury,
cakes,cookies,shortbread,
soups,stews,chowdersand
curries.Itisalsorenownedfor
itscrabsandwiches.Ituses
localsuppliers–sausages
bacon,gammon,beef,chicken
andporkfromFHeards,
WestwardHo!;fishandcrab
fromthewetfishshopin
Appledore;breadsfrom
CountryCottageBakery,
Bideford.Itcancaterforany
dietaryrequirementsasit
makeseverythingin-houseand
haslotsofreturningcustomers
withallergieswhotrustitto
preparefoodforthem.During
lockdown,itdecidedtorunas
atakeawayonly,evenwhen
allowedtohavepeoplesitting
in,asitfeltthiswasbestfor
everyone’ssafety.
■ facebook.com/
22TheCoffeeCabin
AWARDS
Digital & Online
Achievement finalists
sponsored by
Integraiscommittedtoprovidingtheverybestcommunication,
internetandITsupportforbusinessesfromitsofficesinNorth
DevonandEssex,includingmanagedITsupportandhosted
telecomsviaourownVoIPsystem.
Since2010,we’vebuiltareputationforpersonal,friendlyand
professionalservicethatdoesn’tcosttheearthandhaveworked
withawiderangeofbusinesses,puttingtherighttoolsand
supportinplacetohelpthemgrow.
Withover50years’combinedexperienceinourexpertteam–
andapromisetoalwaystreatyouasanindividual–youcanbe
surethattheadvicewegiveistherightadviceforyourbusiness.
■ Visitintegra.im
propositionandexperience.It
includesanewERPsystem
featuringePOD(electronic
proofofdelivery)andlive
customerordertrackinganda
sophisticatedecommerce
system.
■ savonagroup.co.uk
Excellence in Hospitality
& Tourism finalists
ILFRACOMBE
The Earlsdale
isamodern,high-endadultsonlyBedandBreakfast.Builtin
1885,thecurrentproprietors
acquiredthebusinessin2019
andhaveputconsiderabletime
andresourcesinto
sympatheticallyrestoringthe
building.TheEarlsdaleoffers
sevenrooms,whichsleepupto
14guests.Allitsroomshave
beenupgradedandrenovated
toahighstandard,giving
guestsanunrivalledand
surprisingexperience.Ituses
localsupplierswherever
possible,whichincludeallfood
andbeveragesrightthroughto
localtradespeopleandartisans.
During2020itmatchedits
2019occupancyandrevenue,
evenwithareducedseasondue
toCovidandbalancing
necessarysafetymeasureswith
guests’comfort.
■ theearlsdale.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Sciencedipity
isaCommunityInterest
Companywhichhasinspired
youngstersinsciencesince
2014.WhenCovidforcedthe
endofworkshopsforschools
andgroups,communityand
ILFRACOMBE
Hele Cornmill and Tearoom
isa16thcenturywatermill,
theonlyremainingworking
millinNorthDevon.2021is
the10-yearanniversaryofthe
Jonesfamilypurchasingthe
milltopreservetheGradeII
listedbuilding.Itservescream
teasaswellastraditional
Devonshiresplits.Allcakes
aremadeonthepremiseswith
freshlymilledwholemealflour
fromorganicwheatsourcedin
Dorsetandmilledonsite.
Eachseasonitwelcomessome
10,000guests.Whenopenas
normal,itusuallyprovides
full-timeworkforthree
peopleplusuptonineparttimeworkers.Itworksto
accommodatealldietary
requirements(egglutenor
dairy-free)orlifestylechoices
(vegan)andwillgooffmenu
forchildrenorspecialdiets.
■ helecornmill.com
corporateevents,itresponded
bylaunchingSciencedipity
Stay-in-Scienceonlineclubsto
continueitswork.These
includedpracticalfunscience
classesforchildrenandfamilies
withthekitdeliveredtotheir
homes.Theclubsare
certificated,sochildrencan
workstowardtheBritish
ScienceAssociation'sAward.
■ sciencedipity.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Top Meadow Farm
isafamily-runretailbutcher
focusedonsourcingproduce
fromsmall-scale,high-welfare,
sustainable,localfarmsaswell
asitsownorganicfarms.Ithas
aretailshopinButchersRow
andanecommercestore,
whichhasbeenvitalduring
thepandemic.Itsonline
systemsautomatemuchofits
managementofsalesanddata,
includingintegrationwithits
UKmainlandcouriersystem,
managinglocaldeliveryzones,
emailmarketing,GDPR
handlingandgenerating
packingslipsandinvoices.It
alsousessocialmediachannels
formarketingandsales.
■ topmeadowfarm.co.uk
LYNTON
St Vincent’s Guest House
wasbuiltin1834andthe
businessacquiredbythe
presentownersinAugust2020.
Sincere-openingtogueststhree
dayslater,theyhavequickly
establishedareputationforhigh
levelsofserviceandhaveeven
beenaddedasan
accommodationproviderbya
specialistwalkingtourholiday
organiser.Thebusinessoffers
sixen-suiteroomsandhas
startedacceptingguests’dogs.
Thehouseandgardenareinthe
processofbeenupgradedand
redecorated,includingnew
carpetstoallrooms,French
polishingoforiginalwoodwork
andmore.Whenmany
businesseshadtorestrict
numbersofdinersdueto
Covid,theproprietorsstartedto
offereveningmeals,whichwere
suchasuccessthatanumberof
guestsoptedtoeatinevery
nightoftheirstay.In2021,light
mealsandafternoonteaswillbe
availableinthegarden,bothto
guestsandthepublic.
■ stvincentlynton.co.uk
26 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
AWARDS
BARNSTAPLE
The Gasman & Son
wasestablished10yearsago
andisnowoneofthemost
successfulheatingcompanies
inNorthDevon.Itemploys10
engineers,threeofficestaffand
twoapprenticesandis
recruitingmoreengineers.All
itsengineerslivelocally,but
coverthesouthofthecountry
uptoBirminghamandWales.
Inadditiontoitsdomestic
customers,itspecialisesin
supportingpharmaand
electronicsfactoriesaswellas
carehomesandhotelchains.Its
corebusinessisplumbing,gas
andsteamengineering.Ithas
wonallitsbusinessbywordof
mouthandrecommendations,
includingitscontractswith
largenationalcompanies.
■ 07805906807
BIDEFORD
Moreton House
isafamily-ownedstately
homeofferingavenuefor
privatefunctionswithon-site
accommodation.Thecurrent
ownershavebeenworkingon
therestorationand
redevelopmentofthisGrade
Excellence in
Construction finalists
sponsored by
Weareoneoftheleadingindependentbuildersmerchantsinthe
SouthWestoperatingoutof20locationsacrossDevon,Cornwall
andSomerset.Atourbranchesyou’llfindawidearrayofhigh
qualityproductsinstock,includinglandscaping,plumbingand
heating,heavysideandlightside,decorating,andgeneralbuilding
materials,aswellasdedicatedkitchen,bathroomandbedroom
showroomsinmanylocations.
Ourbranchteamsarehighlyknowledgeableandareonhandto
offernecessarytechnicalassistance,recommendproductsfromour
extensivestock,andassistwithanyprojectsyou’reundertaking.
Whetherit’sourknowledgeableandreliablestaff,orourgreat
rangeofproducts,weaimtogothatextramilewhetheryou’re
building,maintaining,renovatingorrepairing.
We’redelightedtobeinvolvedinrecognisingalocalherointhe
constructionindustry,asectorveryrelevanttoourbusiness.
■ Visitrgbltd.co.uk
IIlistedGeorgianhousesince
2015.Itwassufferingfrom
dampproblems,roofleaks,
dryrot,wetrot,woodworm,
death-watchbeetle,andwas
institutionalinappearance.It
wasjustfourdegreesindoors
atthetimeofpurchase.The
ownersgaveuptheircareers
forthisprojectandworkwith
localbusinessesandsuppliers,
includingarchitects,builders,
tradesandcrafts,tocreatea
stunningvenue.
■ moretonhousedevon.com
SOUTH MOLTON
South Molton Scaffolding
isafamily-runscaffolding
companywithmorethan30
years’experience.Itprovidesa
scaffoldingaccessserviceata
affordableprice,stillproviding
thehighestqualityofhealthand
safety.Itpromotesafriendly,
hardworkingethosthroughout
itsteamof25,fromnew
apprenticestoitshighlytrained,
professionalscaffolders,
friendlyofficestaffandrighton
throughtothecompany
management.Itcurrently
suppliesscaffoldaccesstonine
differentnewbuildsitesin
NorthDevon,alongwithmany
largecontractjobsforPearce
ConstructionandWest
CountryMaintenance.Ithas
builtalargecustomerbaseof
localbuildersandroofersand
looksafterthebusinessesthat
helpedtobuildthecompany.
■ scaffoldhirenorthdevon.co.uk
Outstanding New
Business finalists
Young Entrepreneur
finalists
ILFRACOMBE
Foot Candy
providesgoodquality,
fashionableladiesfootwearat
affordableprices.Therehadnot
beenashoeshoponIlfracombe
HighStreetforanumberof
yearsuntilFootCandyopened
inSeptember2020.Thestoreis
modernandcomfortableso
thatcustomersgetthefullretail
experience.
■ facebook.com/FootCandyUK
BIDEFORD
Moreton House
isafamily-ownedstately
homeofferingavenuefor
privatefunctionswithon-site
accommodation.Theowners
beganrestoringthehousein
2015,openingpartiallyin
2019beforeopeningproperly
in2020justbeforelockdown.
Theylookforwardtoopening
properlyasafunctionvenue.
■ moretonhousedevon.com
SOUTH MOLTON
Emily Baglow
& Whitney Stoneman
are23-year-oldfashion
graduateswhometatcollege
andreunitedaftergraduation
tolaunchdizzydaze,aslow
fashionbrandcommittedto
designingandmakingbespoke
stylishgarmentsusing
sustainablematerialsand
productionmethods.
■ dizzydaze.co.uk
LYNMOUTH
Liam Drew
age20,wonthetenderto
operateHolein1Lynmouth
andopenedthegreensinApril
2019.HealsostartedTwo
ScoopsTricycleicecream
businessforweddinghireand
isintheprocessofrefurbishing
aformercafeinLyntonin
ordertotransformitintoa
smallrestaurant.
■ holein1lynmouth.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Home Sweet Home
isafamily-runkitchen
showroomandhomewares
shopwhichopenedin2019.It
providesbespokedesign
kitchensatanaffordableprice.
Thehomewaresshopprovides
uniqueandluxuriousitemsto
enhancecustomers’homes
andcansourceandsuggest
itemsforcustomers.
■ homesweethomeltd.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Top Meadow Farm
isafamily-runretailbutcher
focusedonsourcingproduce
fromsmall-scale,high-welfare,
sustainable,localfarmsaswell
asitsownorganicfarms.It
openeditsretailshopin
ButchersRowin2020and
operatesanecommercestore,
whichhasbeenvitalduringthe
pandemic.
■ topmeadowfarm.co.uk
WESTWARD HO!
Jemma Broadstock
age25,startedherfirst
businessat15before,more
recently,establishinga
successfulvirtualassistant
practice.Followingitssuccess,
shehaslaunchedVirtually
Done,anonlinecommunityto
supportentrepreneursand
offersgroupprogrammes,1:1
mentoringandonlinecourses.
■ instagram.com/virtuallydone
BARNSTAPLE
Stacey Ibbotson
age20,spottedagapinthe
marketandopenedafabric
shopwithhermother.Stacey
hadnopreviousknowledgeof
fabric,sewing,stockand
suppliers,accountingor
business.Shehasnowlearned
howtorunasuccessful
businessandalsohowtosew
andmakegarmentsherself.
■ sewathome.net
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 27
CLOVELLY
The Clovelly Soap Company
produceshandmadesoap,
skincare,bathproductsand
homefragrancefromnatural
ingredientswithsustainability
attheheartofeverythingit
does.Itexportshandmade
soap,candlesandskincareboth
underitsownbrandand
privatelabels.Itcurrently
exportstoIceland,Singapore,
EUAmazon,Netherlands,Italy,
Germany,MalaysiaandChina.
AdistributorinSingapore
stocks10shops,adistributorin
Icelandstocksthreeshopsand
ithaslotsofsmallstockists
throughoutEurope.
■ theclovellysoapcompany.com
ILFRACOMBE
Lambland
isaretailersellingBritishmadefootwearandcustommadesheepskinrugsonline
andthroughashopon
IlfracombeHarbour.Itflies
theBritishflagoverseas,
promotingBritish-madeitems
viathird-partymarketplaces
suchasEbayandEtsyaswell
SOUTH MOLTON
dizzydaze
isaslowfashionandinteriors
brandnewlylaunchedbytwo
aspiringdesignerswhosharea
colourfulvision.Eachpieceis
designedandhandmadefrom
itssmallNorthDevonstudio.
Allproductsaremadetoorder
withlimitedstocktominimise
environmentalimpact.
dizzydazeaimstocelebratethe
natureofhand-craftsmanship
andcreativedesign,while
movingtowardsamore
sustainablefuture.Aswellas
standardsizing,itoffersamadeto-measureservice,which
ensuresitemsfitperfectly.
■ dizzydaze.co.uk
BARNSTAPLE
Dymond Engineering
providesaresponsivesheet
andtubemetalfabrication
service,offeringdesignand
value-engineeringwitha
solutions-focusedapproach,as
wellasspecialistexpertisein
shopfittingsanddisplay
equipment.Itmanufactures
sub-contractmetalworkfor
leadingfit-outcompanies,
joinerycompaniesand
manufacturers.Recently,ithas
diversified,quicklygaining
AWARDS
International Trade
finalists
sponsored by
FoundedbymanagingdirectorLindaMiddleton-Jones,
InternationalTradeMattersLtdprovidesindependenttailored
supporttoSMEsandmicrobusinesses.
Levelsofengagementcanincludeatelephone-basedExport
Responsesupportservice,helpandadvicewithexport
documentationandaccreditations,orafully-embeddedExport
Managertooperateortrainyourexportdepartment.
■ Visitinternationaltradematters.com
asonitsownwebsite.It
exportsworldwideandits
mainmarketsareFrance,
Germany,USAandAustralia.
Ithasalsoestablished
relationshipsinNewZealand
andNorthernIreland.
■ lambland.co.uk
Made in North Devon
finalists
sponsored by
BIDEFORD
Peak Online
startedin2014inHongKong,
movedbacktotheUKin
Cardiff,theninJuly2017
movedtoNorthDevonwhere
ithasexpandedlocally.It
exportsitswebdesignand
TheSignMakermanufactureshighqualitysignsandmemorialsto
suitallbudgets,offeringahugechoiceinmaterials,fontsand
images.Italsoprovidesamassiverangeofstandardsafetysigns,
postersandequipment.
Wemakesomanydifferentsignsjustthewayyouwantthem–
housesigns,homesignsandnameplates,doornumbers,memorial
plaques,businesssignsandwheelcovers.Ifyouneedadvicewith
anyofthesigns,plaques,businesssignage,memorialsorgiftsdo
callus01769561355.
OurmainworkshopsarebasedinNorthDevon,butwesendour
signsallovertheworld.Weknowweareluckytobesituatedinthe
countryandourwebsiteshowshowwecareforourcountryside.
Visitourwebsitetoseethehugevarietyofsignageweoffer.You
canplaceordersbyphone,emailorviaouronlineshop.
■ Visitsign-maker.net
recognitionforitshigh
quality.Anexampleisthe
TotalTrainingTower(TX3),
anelitestandardhomegym
towerdevelopedinpartnership
withaparacanoeathlete.
■ dymondengineering.co.uk
LYNTON
Moat House
beganhandcraftingwooden
sunglassesin2013afterinitially
makingapairfromafallenoak
limb.Fromthis,theideawas
digitalmarketingservicesto
clientsinHongKongaswellas
inAustralia,China,Japan,the
MiddleEastandUSA.By
offeringafullrangeofservices,
clientsonlydealwithone
personforeverything.Some
foreignsclientsexporttothe
UK,sobenefitfromthePeak
Online’slocalknowledge.
■ northdevon.peakonline.uk.com
BARNSTAPLE
ThreadLOXX
startedjustunderoneyearago
andnowattractscustomers
fromallovertheworldto
purchaseitsproductsonline,
withmostsalesfromtheUSA.
Thebusinesssellsmainly
ToggleLOXX,adreadlockhair
tiesolutionithasdeveloped
andmanufacturesitselffroma
rangeofqualityhardwoods.
ThreadLOXXhasbeen
approachedbysalonsand
locticiansaboutstockingits
itemsanditnowhasstockists
aroundtheworld,including
theUSA,Finlandand
Australia,aswellintheUK.
■ ThreadLOXX.Etsy.com
borntomanufacturewooden
sunglassesasasustainable
businessandMoatHousehas
solditsproductsatshowsand
festivalsacrossthecountryand
morerecentlyfromitswebsite.
Ithasalsowonawardsfor
sustainability,qualityandstyle.
AllMoatsunglassesaremade
fromre-purposedor
responsiblysourcedhardwood.
■ moat-house.com
BARNSTAPLE
ThreadLOXX
startedjustunderoneyearago
andisnowsellingits
ToggleLOXXdreadlockhair
tieproductsacrosstheworld.
ToggleLOXXistheonlyhighqualityhardwooddreadlock
accessoryavailableandis
recognisedandlovedbythe
dreadlockscommunity.They
aremadeonlyfromquality
hardwoods.Alotoftimewas
spentondevelopmentand
productionduringlockdown
andgreatcareistakento
ensurethateachitemis
finishedtothebestpossible
standard.Theirqualityis
confirmedbymorethan200
5-starreviewsonEtsy.
■ ThreadLOXX.Etsy.com
28 business action | April / May 2021 | business-action.co.uk
ILFRACOMBE
Ellie Court
Savona Foodservice
Ellieisashiftsupervisorfor
SavonaFoodservice.Shetakes
careoftransportrouting,
organisespickingschedules,
pickingandloading,sorts
NATOPSandsubstitutionsand
processesinvoices.Newtothe
industry,Ellie’straining
covered:transportrouting;
QnetexERPsystem;ePodand
scannertraining;management
training.Ellieisan
encouragementandinspiration
eventolongstandingcolleagues
whohaveyearsofexperience
andknowledge.
■ savonagroup.com
ILFRACOMBE
Kayne Harvey
Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar
Kayneissecondchefinabusy
kitchen.Hepreparesthefood
freshlyeveryday,cooksto
orderunderpressureand
supervisesjuniorstaff.He
completedhisapprenticeship
undertryingcircumstances,
includingissueswiththe
trainingprovider,buthis
AWARDS
Highest Achieving
Learner finalists
sponsored by
AtlasPackagingistheUK’sleadingindependentcardboardbox
company.Ourmainaimistoprovideourcustomerswiththebest
bespokecorrugatedpackagingandtodothiswehaveour
owndesignandproductionservice.Ateverystepoftheprocessit’s
conductedaccuratelywhilstkeepingourpriceshighlycompetitive.
Weunderstandthatlongwaitingtimes,costsandpoorquality
canharmtheimpressionofyourbusinesses.ButhereatAtlas
Packagingwehavetheadvantageofhousingbothdesign
andmanufacturingfacilitiesonsitewhichallowsustofasttrack
theprocessofmakingyourcorrugatedpackaging.Wekeepour
pricesfairandcompetitivetoensurethatthehighestquality
standardsaremaintainedthroughouttheprocess.Andwith
constantreinvestmentandconsultationweareabletoofferstateof
theartprintingandmanufacturingservicestomaintainqualityat
itsverybesteverystepoftheway.
■ Visitatlaspackaging.co.uk
motivation,persistenceand
determinationenabledhimto
succeedandheshoweda
maturitybeyondhisyears.
Duringthistime,hisskilland
dedicationhasgrown,along
withhisconfidenceinhis
work,contributiontothe
businesssuccessandtheteam
heworksin.
■ terracetapasbar.co.uk
ASHREIGNEY
James Timms
Harvey Precision Tools
Jameshasrecentlycompleted
anadvancedapprenticeshipin
engineeringtoolmakingwhile
workingatHarveyPrecision
Tools.Hehasachievedalevel3
BTECinmechanical
engineeringandaNVQ3in
engineeringtoolmakingaswell
ascompletinghisadvanced
apprenticeship.Allthetime,
Jameshasappliedhimself
completelyandwithfulleffort.
Hehasbothanaptitudeandan
interestinmakingcomplex
partsutilisingmanydifferent
precisetoolmakingprocesses.
Hehasshownaparticular
aptitudeforworkinginthis
environmentandhis
dedication,willingnesstolearn,
commitmentandattitude,as
wellashisabilitytoadaptto
Covid-19restrictions,have
beenextremelyimpressive.
■ ValleyViewFarm,Ashreigney
Embedded global
trade expertise for
your business
Export
Manager
Export Manager Service is a great way to bring
expert skills and experience into your company and
can be delivered from as little as one day per month
by an international trade specialist
INTERNATIONAL
TRADE MATTERS
Unlock your Export Potential
internationaltradematters.com
Overseas Business Development | Compliance | Training & Support
@businessactionm | April / May 2021 | business action 29
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