Winter 2021 issue of the independent North Devon-based business magazine covering news on business and enterprise in the area. This issue includes a feature on our North Devon Business Awards event 2021 at Moreton House, more winners with their awards certificates, 100 years of Pedlars on Ilfracombe High Street and the opening of the Node enterprise Centre in Barnstaple.
usiness
ACTION
north enterprise
devon
growth
innovation
news & views
business-action.co.uk | Winter 2021 | @businessactionm
CONTENTS WELCOME HEADER
business
ACTION
SUCCESS & CHANGE
Year four
Threeyearsago,AlanWilliams
andIpreparedtolaunchanew
businessmagazineforNorth
Devon.Wehadnoideawhat
theresponsewouldbe,butsaw
aneedforapublicationthat
wasnotfilledwitharticleson
businessesinthelargebusiness
areasinthecounty’ssouth.
Thisisnowour17 th issue
andwearegratefultoallour
readers,contributors,supporters
and,especially,ouradvertisers,
withoutwhomBusinessAction
wouldnotexist.Thankyou.
Quarterly magazine
Wehaveadaptedtomany
circumstancesinthepastthree
yearsandaremakingsome
changesfor2022.
Alan,whowasthemain
driverforlaunchingBusiness
Action,issteppingbackto
focusonhisownbusiness–
WillsatHome–whichis
growingsteadily.Thankyouto
Alanforafantasticthreeyears.
Wearealsochangingto
quarterlypublicationwith
issuesinMarch,June,
SeptemberandDecember.
Thesewillbesupplemented
bymorefrequentlypublished
onlinematerialonour
business-action.co.ukweb
siteandonourLinkedIn,
Instagram,Facebookand
Twittersocialmediachannels.
Wewillalsobelaunching
specialprojectsin2022.
Cover Story
Thisissuecelebratesthe100 th
anniversaryin2022ofPedlars
ofIlfracombe,aspicturedon
ourfrontcover.Readaboutthe
successofthislong-established
localbusinessonpages10–11.
2022 Awards
Thirdtimelucky!Wehave
bookedtheLandmarkTheatre
forThursday19May2022for
our2022NorthDevon
BusinessAwardsevent,
confidentthatatlastwewill
celebratetheawardsaswehad
originallyplanned.
YOUR EDITOR
Robert Zarywacz
Editor & Publisher
t: 07971 176044
e: robertz@business-action.co.uk
@robertz
EnteryourNorthDevon
businessinanyof12awards
categoriesfrom1Januaryto20
February2022–pages15–21.
Web site | business-action.co.uk
Online version | business-action.uk
Vol 3 Issue 5 – Winter 2021 – distribution 2,000
Welcome................................................................................................................. ii
News: Aesthetic excellence........................................................................... 1
News: New partnership offers genuine ultrafast connectivity....... 1
News: Recruiter celebrates 10-year anniversary.................................. 2
News: Devon Air Ambulance Christmas appeal................................... 2
Business directory: Find products and services................................. 3
News: Business & IP Centre business services and facilities ...... 4
News: Multimedia business with community focus............................ 4
Art: Inviting space to browse contemporary art................................... 5
Environment: Biosphere seeks business partners............................. 6
Environment: Sustainable Business Award........................................... 7
Environment: Biosphere Partner Showcase.......................................... 7
Campaigns: Buy in Shops.............................................................................. 8
Campaigns: Cheeky calendars raise funds for mental health....... 8
News: Need to boost your indoor business mobile signal?........... 9
Retail: 100 years on the high street............................................................ 10
Retail: Supporting homeware retailers countrywide.......................... 10
Retail: Valuing retail service.......................................................................... 11
Enterprise: Demand at enterprise hub leads to phase 2................... 12
Enterprise: Managing the human side of change................................ 13
Technology: Caring approach to IT............................................................ 14
Awards: Enter our 2022 business awards............................................... 15
Awards: An occasion to celebrate.............................................................. 16
Awards: Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism........................................ 16
Awards: Business-to-Business Excellence............................................ 17
Awards: Outstanding New Business......................................................... 17
Awards: Awards hat trick for restaurant.................................................. 18
Awards: Business of the Year 2020 – Made in Clovelly..................... 19
Awards: Digital landscapes............................................................................ 20
Awards: Service excellence........................................................................... 20
Awards: Training tower supports gold medal win............................... 21
© 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 | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Looking and feeling good is
importantformostofus,but
findingsafe,effectiveskincare
treatmentscanbeconfusing.
Thatiswhyexperienced
nursesToniPascoe-Whiteand
KateSmithlaunchedOrchard
ClinicinBidefordinFebruary
2020–toensureclientsreceive
approvedaesthetictreatments
fromqualifiedpractitioners
withhighethicalvalues.
BothKateandToniare
registerednursesand
independentnurseprescribers
–whichenablesthemto
prescribemedicines–and
have30+years’nursing
experiencebetweenthem.
Askedwhatpromptedthem
tostarttheclinic,Katesays:
“Forme,itsaboutthe
autonomyandthedifferent
typeofnursing.Whileall
nursingisholistic,in
aestheticswetakeintoaccount
theeffectsofageingandhow
certainskinconditionscan
affectpeople’sself-esteem;we
helpmakethemfeellike
themselvesagain.”
Toniadds:“Yougointo
nursingtoimprovepeople’s
qualityoflife.Peoplecometo
uswhentheirconfidenceis
low.Aftertreatmentthey
oftensay‘Ifeelsorefreshed’.”
Theyapplytheirethosas
nursesbyensuringtheclinicis
safe,controlledandregulated.
Thisincludeseachofthem
HEADER NEWS
In safe hands: (from left) Toni Pascoe-White and Kate Smith of Orchard Clinic
Aesthetic excellence
New partnership offers genuine ultrafast connectivity
Lineal inBarnstaplehas
announcedanewpartnership
withJurassicFibre,bringing
fasterbroadbandtoSouthWest
businesses.
Exeter-basedJurassicFibre
isaregionalconnectivity
providerrollingoutnew
ultrafastfull-fibreinfrastructuretothousandsofaddresses
acrosstheSouthWest.
Currently,JurassicFibre’s
£250minvestmentinanew
fibrenetworkalreadyincludes
townsandruralcommunities
suchasBarnstaple,Honiton
andOkehampton.
Linealmanagingdirector
MikeMatthewssays:“Thanks
toJurassicFibremany
businesseswillfinallyhavethe
optionoftrueultrafast,‘pure’
fibrebroadbandatlowcost,
providedovercutting-edge
investinginstudytoachieve
theAestheticMedicine
Master’slevel(Level7)
qualificationwithHarley
AcademyLondon,theUK’s
firstgovernment-regulated
Level7qualificationin
aestheticmedicine.Thisadds
totheirimpressivemedical
qualificationsandexperience,
outlinedontheirwebsite.
However,theirnursing
experiencedidnotprepare
KateandToniforstartinga
businessandtheyaregrateful
totheBidefordBridgeTrust
forawardingthemastart-up
grantaswellasafurtherrestart
granttohelpafterlockdown
restrictionsimpactedtheir
businesslaunch.
“Wefeelreallyprivileged
Faster connections: (from left) Matt Baker, head of business sales, Jurassic
Fibre, and Mike Matthews, managing director of Lineal Software Solutions
infrastructurethatsimply
hasn’tbeenavailablefromany
otherprovider.
“We’vebeenimpressedby
whatJurassicFibrehavebuilt.
EverydayLineal’stechnical
supportteamsencounter
businessesdependingonever
morecloud-basedtechnology,
andrequiringfasterconnection
speeds–togetherwe’llhelp
delivertheconnectivityoptions
manysodesperatelyneedto
runtheirbusinesseseffectively.”
MattBaker,headofbusiness
saleswithJurassicFibre,adds:
“Weareproudtobeserving
bothbusinessandresidential
customersacrossNorthDevon
withourultrafastfull-fibre
thattheywantedtoinvestin
us,”saysKate.
Theyhavealsostudied
onlinebusinesscourseson
marketing,PRand
bookkeepingthroughPetroc.
OrchardClinicisquickly
establishingahighquality
reputationwhichisattracting
clientsbywordofmouth.A
wideagerangeofbothmen
andwomenseektreatmentfor
medicalskinconditionssuch
asacne,rosacea,pigmentation
andageing.Treatments
includeanti-wrinkle
injections,dermalfillers,skin
peelsandskincare
consultations.Theclinicalso
offersAlumierMDmedical
gradeskincarealongwithfull
consultationandassessment.
ToniandKateensurethey
fullyinformeachclientonall
therisksandbenefitsbefore
beginninganytreatmentand
theyalwaystakeintoaccounta
client’smedicalhistory.They
alsoaimtoeducatethepublic
aboutwhatbenefitsfacial
treatments,suchasdermal
fillers,canachieveandwill
declinetreatmentifintheir
medicalopinionitis
unsuitableforanindividual.
ToniandKatebelieveitis
thisethicalapproach,along
withtheircommitmentto
clinicalexcellence,thatmakes
OrchardClinicstandout.
■ Detailsorchardclinic.net
broadbandservices.Our
partnershipwithLinealenables
businessestotakefull
advantageoftheirnew
bandwidthsbyprovidingthe
platformtoutilisenew
technologiestoservetheir
customersbetter.”
JurassicFibreisavailablein
arangeofspeedsfrom
100Mbpsdown(20Mbpsup)
uptogigabitgrade,andvia
private-fibre‘leasedline’gigabit
ethernet,forbusinesses
needingexceptionalquality
connectivity.
LinealSoftwareSolutionsis
aBarnstaple-basedITsupport
andsoftwaredevelopment
companyassistingbusinesses
andorganisationsacrossthe
UKandbeyond.
■ Details01271375999or
lineal.co.uk
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 1
NEWS
Recruiter celebrates 10-year anniversary
Whilemanybusinesses
struggletoreachtheirfirstor
secondanniversaries,someare
sobusythattimefliesby.
WhenCooperGolding,the
NorthDevonindependent
providerofhighquality
recruitmentservicesbasedin
Barnstaple,recentlycelebrated
its10 th anniversary,founding
directorPaulaGolbyreflected
oncompletingafirst
successfuldecadeinbusiness:
“Oneofthemanyquestions
favouredbyinterviewerswhen
interviewingforpersonnelis
‘wheredoyouseeyourselfin
fiveor10years’time?’.
Well,IamnotsureIwould
havesaidwewouldbe
celebrating10yearsinbusiness
ifsomeonehadaskedmethat
question10yearsago.
TheendofNovembersaw
CooperGoldingcelebrate10
yearsinbusinessandwhata10
yearsithasbeen.
Reflectingbackonstarting
withalaptopandaphonefrom
thebackofawarehouse,
progressingtoashopfrontand
thenanoffice…toworking
withsomegreatnameslocally,
regionallyandnationally.
Itisapleasuretoworkwith
andhelpsomegreatSMEsgrow
theirownbrandbysupplying
talentedindividuals–the
peoplewithinit.
Wefeelproudtohavehelped
manypeoplegainandembrace
theirnextcareermoveand
supportlocalinitiatives,
mentor,donatetocharities,
giveadviceandworkwith
amazingcompaniesandpeople.
Tocelebratetheoccasion
CooperGoldingwillannounce
some10-yearinitiatives
throughDecemberforstaff,
clientsandworkers–we’llbe
postingdetailsonourwebsite,
sopleasewatchforthem.”
CooperGolding’smission
istohelpcandidatesfind
rewardingworkopportunities
whilesupportingclientsto
securegreatpeopletodrive
businesssuccess.
Tomeetthespecificneeds
of localandUK-wide
candidates/clients,the
consultancyoperatestwo
separatebusinessdivisions:
CooperGolding
Recruitment–anindependent
generalrecruitmentagency,
providingacomprehensive
arrayofprofessionalservices
tocandidatesandclients
throughouttheregion.
CooperGoldingSpecialist
Talent–linkingspecialist
talentwithleadingcompanies
throughouttheUK.Itsfocusis
onspecificdisciplines
primarilywithinengineering
andmanufacturing.
■ Details01271349745or
coopergolding.co.uk
DevonAirAmbulancehas
launcheditsChristmasappeal,
whichreassuressupporters
thatpatientsare‘InGood
Hands’,notjustatChristmas,
buteverydayoftheyear.
Despitelockdowns,thecrew
hasdelivereduninterrupted
time-criticalcaretohundreds
ofpatientsinDevonand
beyond,bothbycriticalcare
carandaircraft.
Thelocalcharitywillbe
celebratingits30 th yearof
servicein2022,butisstill
catchingitsbreathfromthe
impactofthepandemic,which
Devon Air Ambulance Christmas appeal
sawincomereducedby£2
millionlastyear.
HeadoffundraisingSally
Hiltonsays:“Wefeelincredibly
fortunatetohavebeensowell
supportedbythepeopleof
Devonoverthepastcoupleof
years,whohavetrulyralliedto
helpusthroughsome
challengingtimes,butwe
absolutelywelcomecontinued
support.
“Ourcrewsdelivertimecriticalcaretotraumaand
medicalincidentseverydayof
theyearandwellintothe
hoursofdarkness,
which,duringthefestive
seasoninparticular,arrive
earlierwiththeshorterdays.”
■ TosupporttheDevonAir
AmbulanceChristmas
Campaignanddonate,please
visitdaat.org/in-good-handsthis-christmas
2 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
DIRECTORY
ACCOUNTANTS
Cranford Business Services
Bideford
t: 01237 488077
w: accountsindevon.co.uk
JD Accountants (South West) Ltd
Barnstaple
t: 01271 378606
ANTIQUE MAPS & CHARTS
Old Folding Maps
South Molton
t: 01769 573935
w: foldingmaps.co.uk
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 Counselling Training
Barnstaple
t: 07522 841009
w: devoncounsellingtraining.co.uk
North Devon Counselling
Barnstaple
t: 07872 501606
w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk
DIGITAL & WEB SITES
Kameleon
Barnstaple
t: 01271 375100
w: kameleondigital.uk
Peak Online
Bideford
t: 01237 721256
w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com
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
ENVIRONMENT
North Devon Biosphere
North Devon
t: 01392 388647
w: northdevonbiosphere.org.uk
FINANCE
SWIG Finance
North Devon & South West
t: 01872 227 932
w: swigfinance.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
Lineal Software Solutions
Barnstaple
t: 01271 375999
w: lineal.co.uk
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
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
➤ Listinginfourissuesof
magazinewithbusiness
nameandcategory,phone
number,websiteandtown.
➤ 12-monthonlinelistingat
needitfindit.ukNorth
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tarkatography
Westward Ho!
t: 07977 414798
w: tarkatography.co.uk
PRINTING
Jamaica Press
Buckland Brewer
t: 01237 452333
w: jamaicapress.co.uk
RECRUITMENT
Cooper Golding
Barnstaple
t: 01271 349745
w: coopergolding.co.uk
RETAILERS
Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 867193
w: ilfracombechocolateemporium.co.uk
Pedlars
Ilfracombe
t: 01271 863509
w: Facebook @pedlarsofilfracombe
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
TELECOMS
Integra
North Devon
t: 01271 555 666
w: integra.im
TRAVEL AGENTS
Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors
North Devon & UK
t: 01271 828990
w: travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint
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.
➤ 4issuesofmagazinemailed
directtoyourUKaddress.
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 3
NEWS
The Business & IP Centre
Devon(BIPC)ispartofa
nationalnetworkofbusiness
centresbasedinlibraries.The
networkwassetupand
developedbytheBusiness&
IPCentreattheBritish
LibraryinLondontoprovide
supporttobusinessowners,
entrepreneursandinventors.
Accesstotheright
informationisvitaltoanyone
startingandrunninga
business.Awealthoffree
resourcesarenowavailable
throughtheBIPCDevon.
Theseincludethelargest
collectionofbusinessand
researchdatabasesinthe
SouthWest.Manycanbe
accessedfromhomewitha
librarycard,whileothersare
availablethroughthepublic
computersinBarnstaple,
ExeterandPaigntonlibraries.
Eachoftheselibrarieshasa
Multimedia business with community focus
ASYN Multimediawasbornin
November2019whensingle
mumofthreeIngridEsteve
Martindecidedtoapplyher
multimediaskillstoruna
mediabusinessthatoffered
herflexibility.
Ingrid’saimwastosupply
individualsandsmall
businesseswithcreative
servicesfromgraphicdesignto
videoandanimationinavery
cost-effectiveway.As
lockdownsbegan,she
expandedthisofferingto
includemarketingconsultancy
andsocialmediacontentthat
wouldsupportbusinesses.
“Thepandemichasbeena
reflectivetimeandIhave
decidedtocreatedifferent
nichesandultimatelyprovide
anelementofsocialenterprise,
involvingcreatingincomeand
Business & IP Centre offers
business services and facilities
BIPC,withmoreDevon
librariestofollowsoon.
BIPCDevonalsooffersa
givingsome
backtosocial
andcharitable
causes,”says
Ingrid.
“In2020,
atChristmas,
forexample,I
startedashort
filmwith
mentalhealth
asitsmain
topic,andam
currently
applyingfor
fundingto
extenditintoa
longerfilm.”
ASYNoffersflexibilityto
findsolutionsforclientsthat
providewhattheyarelooking
forwithintheirbudget.If
ASYNcan’tprovideitdirectly,
itwillsourcesuitableservices
The Business & IP Centre Devon pod at Barnstaple library
one-to-oneintroductiontoits
resourcesandone-to-ones
witharangeofexpertsin
thatwillsatisfy
theclient’s
needs.
Ingridis
verymuch
focusedon
contributingto
thelocal
community.
“Aspartof
whatwedo,it’s
alsoimportant
togivebackto
others,so
ASYN
Multimedia
Ingrid Esteve Martin
wantstogrow
tocreatestoriesandseekto
inspireanddoourlittlebitto
makethisworldabetterplace.”
Ingridworkswithlocaland
internationalclients,both
remotelyandinperson,from
professionalstoretailersand
variousaspectsofbusiness.
For2022,itisplanninga
scheduleofworkshopsand
webinarswhichincludeanew
DiversityinBusiness
programme,Womenin
Businessandaprogramme
speciallytailoredtosupport
thecreativeindustries.
Businessescanbrowseand
borrowanextensiverangeof
businessbooks,eBooksand,
viaitsLibbyapp,magazines,
includingTheEconomistand
TheEntrepreneur.
BarnstapleandExeter
librariesalsoofferin-house
FabLabswherebusinessescan
access3Dprinters,laserand
vinylcutters,anddigitalsewing
machinesataffordablerates.
Thesesupportentrepreneurs
whocreateanddesign.
■ Detailsfablabdevon.organd
bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk
anybusinessthatjustneeds
someinspiration.
“Asasocial-focusmarketing
andfilminternationalstudio,
ASYNMultimedialooksto
workwithanycompany
lookingforafamiliarand
customisableofferandto
inspiringotherswhiledoingso.
“Ilovetobecreative,tohelp
others,tomultitask,touse
differentmedia,tofind
solutionstoourclients’
problems.Thismakesus
relevant.Wemakesense
visuallyoftheviews,mission
andobjectivesofourclients
andcreateinspiringstories
withtheaimtohelpothers.
“Theworldishardenough
withoutsupport,solet’shelp
eachotherisourmotto.”
■ Details07340770185or
FacebookASYNMultimedia
4 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
PEOPLE
Inviting space to browse contemporary art
There’s a new looktoan
establishedartgalleryinSt
James’Place,
Ilfracombeafter
NicoleHansonand
AlixMcDonald
assumedownership
andrelaunchedas
MagentaFineArtin
October2021.
Bothpreviously
workedatthegallery
andareenjoying
introducingchanges
toachievetheiraim
tobringinnovative
contemporaryartfromacross
theglobetoNorthDevon.
“Weworkreallywellasa
team,”saysAlix,anartistwho
hasextensiveexperienceasan
artsalesconsultant.
“Webounceideasoffeach
otherreallywelland
complementeachother,”adds
Nicole,whohasexperienceasa
consultantandgallerymanager
andhasbuiltupareputation
andrapportwithmanyclients.
“Wearetryingthingsand
All plans include
➤ 4 adverts (if selected)
➤ 4 magazine listings
➤ 12-month web adverts
➤ online listing
➤ 4 mailed magazines
➤ plus more
seeingwhatworksand
makingchangeswhere
necessary,”continues
Nicole.“Wehave
introducedseating
areassothatpeople
canbehereaslongas
theywant.”
NicoleandAlix
understandthatmany
peoplecomeintothe
gallerywithoutany
intentiontobuy,justto
browse.Oncetheystart
chatting,thereisanatural
processaspeoplebecome
moreinterested.Nicoleand
Alixshowexamplesandeven
offerhomeapprovalssothat
clientscanseehow
artworkswilllookathome.
MagentaFineArtalso
offersanartvisualisation
servicewhereclientscan
emailaphotooftheir
spacesothatimagesof
artworkstheyare
interestedincanbe
Comfortable seating at Magenta Fine Art, Ilfracombe
superimposedtogivean
impressionofhowtheywill
look.Italsooffersasearch
servicetosourcesuitable
Select plan
£30 Business Action Plan – 4 magazine listings
£125 Business Action Plan – 4 business card adverts
£225 Business Action Plan – 4 banner adverts
£315 Business Action Plan – 4 quarter page adverts
£645 Business Action Plan – 4 half page adverts
£995 Business Action Plan – 4 full page adverts
Magenta Fine Art: (from left) Nicole Hanson and Alix McDonald
artworksforclientslookingfor
aspecifictypeofimage.
Understandingthat
responsestoartareboth
individualandemotional,
MagentaFineArtoffersawide
mixofgenrestosuitdifferent
tastes.Someclientsliketo
expresstheircharacterthrough
theartintheirhome,while
othersviewitasatalkingpoint.
“Everypersonisso
different,”saysNicole.
“Differentemotions,
thoughts,feelings,
stories:that’swhyit’s
nicebeinganart
gallery.Peoplewantto
comeinandseeit.”
Alixaddsthatthey
wantMagentaFineArt
tobecomepartofthe
communityandwill
openthegalleryall
yearround,bothfor
residentsandoffseasonvisitorstocomeinand
andenjoybrowsingart.
■ Details01271862590or
magentafineart.co.uk
Advertise from just £30 a year with Business Action
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 Robert on 07971 176044
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 5
PEOPLE
The Biosphere Business Partner Showcase at Saunton Sands Hotel
Biosphere seeks business partners
North Devon Biosphere
launcheditsBiosphereBusiness
Partner(BBP)Eco-Accreditation
Schemelastyear(withafocus
ontourismbusinesses)aspart
oftheEU-fundedBioCultural
HeritageTourismproject.
Followingitssuccess,the
Biosphereisnowopening
membershipuptoallbusinesses
acrossNorthDevon.
Unique selling point
TheUNESCOWorldBiosphere
designationisauniqueselling
pointasaregion.Joiningthe
BBPschemedemonstratesthat
amemberbusinessisproudto
bepartofthisworldclassarea
bybeingpartofasustainable
businessnetworkthatlooks
aftertheveryassetsthatattract
80%ofitsvisitors,aswellas
eachother.
Five commitments
Bysigninguptothisfree
accreditationscheme,each
businesswillmakeatleastfive
commitmentstowards
conservation,localdevelopment
and/orawarenessraising.In
return,memberbusinessesare
rewardedwith:
➤ FreeadvertisingontheBBP
NetworkDirectoryonthe
BiosphereVisitorwebsite
biosphere.org.uk
➤ FreeuseoftheBBPlogo
onallpromotionalmaterial
andbusinesswebsites.
Partner presentation (from left) Andy Bell, Biosphere Reserve co-ordinator,
and Sarah Jordan, Biosphere Business Partner co-ordinator
➤ Invitationstonetworking
meetingsandeventsto
connectwithlike-minded
businessesandshareideas
andbestpractice.
➤ Bi-monthlyBBPnewsletter,
showcasingsomeofthe
greatworkachievedby
fellowpartners.
➤ Theopportunitytobethe
featured‘BiosphereStar
Business’withfocusonthe
businessanditscommitments
totheBiosphere.
Sign up
Forfurtherinformationandto
signuptothisscheme,visit
biosphere.org.uk/businesspartners/aboutorcontact
SarahJordon,Biosphere
BusinessPartnercoordinator,
atSarah.Jordan@devon.gov.uk
Wheatland Farm–Maggie
Watsondescribedhowher
familyhadacquiredWheatland
Farm,nearWinkleighin2006
torestorethePopehouseMoor
SiteofSpecialScientific
Interest(partofthefarm)and
extenditswildlifetotherestof
thefarm,whichismanagedas
anaturereserve.
Thereare200+speciesof
floweringplantsonsite,five
ponds,13speciesofdragonfly
andatleastfivespeciesofbat.
Thefarmgeneratesincome
throughecotourismandaims
forvisitorstoseeandinteract
withwildlife.
■ Details0183783499or
wheatlandfarm.co.uk
Braunton Countryside Centre
–NicolaCorrigan,biocultural
tourismprojectmanageratthe
centre(aswellasBiosphere
operationsmanager)explained
howthecentrehasconnected
bothresidentsandvisitorswith
natureoverthepast30years.
Thecentrehasorganised
morethan80eventsattended
bysome2,000people,ranging
fromguidedwalkstocrafting
workshopsandconservation
activities,suchaseventswith
theCaenCatchmentBeaver
Partnership,whichisassessing
whetherbeaverreintroduction
couldalleviateflooding.
■ Details01271817171or
brauntoncountrysidecentre.org
6 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Sustainable Business Award
Business Actionisdelighted
tohavesigneduptothe
BiosphereBusinessPartner
schemeandattendedthe
recentBiosphereBusiness
PartnerShowcaseatSaunton
SandsHotel.
EditorRobertZarywacz
says:“Ihaveapersonal
interestinissuesincluding
plasticandotherlitter,soil
improvement,enriching
habitatstoattractwildlifeand
thedamagingeffectsof
coveringgardensintarmac
and/ordecking.
“In1997,aspartofaPR
assignmentcoveringthe
commissioningofalandfill
methanepowergeneration
operation,Itookaguidedtour
ofoneofthelargestlandfill
sitesinthecountry.This
horrifyingexperiencebrought
hometometheurgentneedto
reducewaste,recyclemoreand
takebettercareofthe
environment.Irecommend
anyonetotaketheopportunity
togoonsuchatour–thereis
Biosphere Partner Showcase
TherecentBiospherePartner
ShowcaseatSauntonSands
Hotelbroughtpartners
togethertonetworkand
discussideasforpromotingthe
importanceoftheBiosphereto
thewiderbusinesscommunity.
nobetterwaytowitnessfirsthandthedamagewecauseto
ourenvironment.Itwouldbe
aneffectiveenvironmental
lessonforchildrentoo.”
Sustainable business
“Ialsotakeakeeninterestin
actionsbusinessescantaketo
becomemoresustainable.
“AmajorissueIbelieveall
businessesneedtoaddressis
howtobalanceproduction
andsaleswithreducing
unnecessaryconsumption.
Thisisacomplexquestion
withnoeasyanswers,butone
Ibelieveweneedtoaddress.
Inviewoftheseconcerns,I
amdelightedthattheNorth
DevonBiospherehasagreedto
sponsoranewSustainable
BusinessAwardaspartofour
NorthDevonBusiness
Awards.Wewillbe
announcingdetailsshortlyon
ourwebsiteandencouraging
businessestoenterfrom
1January2022–seepage15
forBusinessActionAwards.
Italsoincluded
presentationsfromBiosphere
BusinessPartnersonhowtheir
businessesareincorporating
carefortheenvironmentinto
theirdailybusinessoperations
–seebelow.
BIOSPHERE
TCi (GB) Ltd–BenGibbs,
marketingmanager,described
howthecompanyisfocusing
onitsenvironmental
responsibilitieswhileachieving
significantgrowth.
Withtwodivisionsfocusing
oncommercialfurnitureand
construction,thecompanyhas
workedonthe2012Olympics
site,theShardandHinkley
PointC,Europe’slargest
constructionproject.
Ithasalsodevelopedthe
ECO360,acarbon-zero,
plastic-free,fullyrecyclable
officedeskmanufacturedinthe
UKfromrecycledmaterials.
■ Details03330220824or
tcigb.co.uk
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 7
CAMPAIGNS HEADER
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
North Devon isfortunateto
havelotsofindependent
retailersservingtheresidentsof
itstownsandvillages.
Manypeoplediscovered
theirlocalshopsduring
lockdowns,butretailremainsa
toughenvironmentinwhichto
runabusiness.
BusinessActionaimsto
supportandencouragegreater
useofthearea’sindependent
shopsandhaslaunchedan
initiativeto‘BuyinShops’.
Independent advantage
Manypeopletaketheirlocal
independentshopsforgranted,
onlylamentingtheirlossonce
theyhaveclosed.
Independentsandlargeor
onlineretailerseachoffertheir
ownadvantages.Andthe
independentscanstackupwell
whenthetwoarecompared.
Choice
Whileasmallshopmaynot
havetheroomtostock
thousandsofproductlines,it
Cheeky calendars raise funds for mental health
TradesmenfromNorthDevon
featureinRGBBuilding
Supplies’WellBuiltBuilder’s
Bum2022calendarbeingsold
inaidofitschosencharities:
DevonMind,CornwallMind
andMindinSomerset.
RGBinvitedtradespeople
fromacrosstheareatoput
themselvesforwardtobe
includedinthecalendarand
bephotographedwhiledoing
theirjob,butwithalittlebitof
theirbottomondisplay.
Aswellasbuilders,
carpenters,forkliftdrivers,and
plumbers,RGB’ssponsored
ExeterChiefs’players,Dave
Ewers,FrankieNowell,Sean
O’BrienandFacundo
Cordero,alsotookpart.
BUYinSHOPS
canbeasurprisetobrowseand
discoverjustwhattheydooffer.
Manyretailersarealsopleased
toorderingoodsspecifically
forcustomers.
Help and advice
Manypeopleexpecttoseewhat
theywantontheshelvesoron
awebsiteandhaveforgotten–
oryoungerpeoplemaynever
haveexperienced–howtoask
forhelpandadviceinstore.
Unlikeanautomatedonline
assistantorwebsitehelppages
thatsendyouroundincircles,
arealshopkeepercanhelpyou
toobtainthebestproductfor
yourneeds,whichmaynot
necessarilybewhatyoufirst
thoughtabout.
Again,shopkeepersoften
workhardtosourceprecisely
whatyouwantandorderit
especiallyforyou.
AndrePusey,marketing
andfundraisingmanagerat
DevonMind,says:“Wealways
lovetoseeoursupporters
comeupwithuniqueandbold
ideasforfundraising,andyou
High price myth
Bigretailersarealwayscheaper.
Really?Itcanbeasurpriseto
findouthowcompetitive
independentretailerscanbe.
Evenwheretheirgoodsare
slightlymoreexpensive,there
willbenocarriagecostsand
customerscanbenefitfromthe
personalservicenotavailable
fromanonlinestore.
Reduce waste
Haveyoueverwanteda
doughnutandhadtobuyfive
inasupermarket?Whyshould
youbuyfourdoughnutsyoudo
notneedbecausethe
supermarketmakesyou?
Abakerwillsellyouone
doughnutandmanysmall
shopswillsellyousingleitems
orsmallerquantitiesoffood.
Withsomuchoverconsumptionandfoodwastage
can’tgetmuchbolderthan
this!Wearesogratefulto
everyonewhoshowedupand
showedoffforthecause,and
ofcoursetoallthoseloyal
RGBcustomerswhoplanon
pickinguponeoftheseamazing
calendarsfor2022.Thankyou
forcontributingtothefight
formentalhealthinDevon.”
EdLivesey,branchmanager
atRGBBarnstaple,adds:“We
wantedtodosomethingtotally
differenttocatchpeople’s
attentionandmakethem
smile,whilepokingfunata
veryunwarrantedconstruction
industrystereotype.But,more
importantly,thecalendaris
aboutraisingmoneyforsuch
worthwhilecharities.”
causingenvironmentaldamage,
wesupportsustainabilitywhen
buyingonlywhatweneedfrom
smallshops.
Take traffic off the roads
Mostdays,NorthDevontowns
areswarmingwithcouriervans
dashingtomeetdeliveryslots
anddroppingoffgoodsin
bubble-wrapandcardboard,
eventhoughnext-daydelivery
israrelyessential.
Usingalocalshopreduces
wastefulpackagingandcan
takecouriertrafficoffthe
roads.Ifyou’reluckytobeable
towalktoyourshops,you’llbe
expendingzerocarbonand,if
not,mostpurchasescanwait
untilyournextvisittoatown.
Change of mindset
Manypeopleshoponlineorin
supermarketsbecauseof
conditioning.Makingtheeffort
–anditcanbeaneffort–to
useindependentshopscan
offermanysurprisingbenefits.
■ Detailsbuyinshops.uk
NorthDevontradesmen
featuredinthecalendarare:
➤ KevinSkinner,builder
➤ MatthewRichardson,
carpenterandbuilder
➤ MickeyParker,builder
➤ NathanDadswell,painter
anddecorator
➤ PeterGeorge,builder
➤ SamDamsell-Atyeoand
JackMason,plumbingand
heatingspecialists
➤ TheteamfromBraunton
plumbersEarthInspired
■ Thebuildersbumcalendar
costs£5andisavailablefrom
allRGBbranchesandonline
atrgbltd.co.uk.Allmoney
raisedwillbedonatedto
DevonMind,CornwallMind
andMindinSomerset.
8 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
Need to boost your indoor
business mobile signal?
Poor indoor mobile coverage
inNorthDevonbusinesses
andhomescanbeimproved
withthehelpofavoucher
programmesupportingthe
purchaseofequipmentthat
caneliminate‘not-spots’.
TheMobileBoost
Programme,administeredby
ConnectingDevonand
Somerset,providesvouchers
worthupto£1,200towards
thecostofoneofanumberof
4Gmobilesignalbooster
optionsfromsuppliers
registeredwiththescheme.
Thevalueofvouchers
dependsonthetypeof
technologymostsuitablefora
specificpremises.Suppliers
willadviseapplicantsonthe
mostappropriateoption.
Whilecoveringthemajority
oftheequipmentcost,
businessesandresidentsneed
tomakeatop-upcontribution
tocoverthecostof
installation.
Businessescanapplyby
completinganonlineform
andself-certifyingthatthey
cannotreceiveanadequate
indoor4Gmobilesignal.
Uponapplication,avoucher
codewillbeemailedtothe
applicantwhichcanbeused
withoneoftheregistered
schemesuppliers/installers.
■ Detailsconnectingdevon
andsomerset.co.uk
HEADER NEWS
Peak
Online
ONE COMPLETE ONLINE SOLUTION
4 business card adverts for £125
Book at business-action.co.uk/plans
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 9
RETAIL
100 years on t
Nick Pedlarjoinedthebusiness
in1964andhasawealthof
retailknowledge.Weasked
Nickabouttrendsandwhat
remainsimportantinretail.
What from 100 years of
trading is still important for
retailers to do today?
Customerserviceisthemost
important.It’sstillthesame
todayaswhenPedlarsstarted.
A landmark North Devon
storecelebrates100yearsof
tradinginIlfracombeHigh
Streetin2022.
Chas.N.Pedlarfirsttraded
in1922,althoughtheorigins
ofthebusinessstretchbackto
adepartmentstoreand
funeraldirectorsknownas
J.Pugsley&Sonsin1860.This
originalstorewaslocatedin
ForeStreetandthenmovedto
theHighStreetatthepremises
currentlyoccupiedbyMcColls
andthePostOffice.
JohnPugsley’snephew,
Charles Nicholas Pedlar
CharlesNicholasPedlar,joined
thebusinessin1895andthe
adjoiningchinaandhardware
Supporting homeware retailers countrywide
Aswellasservingresidentsof
andvisitorstoIlfracombefor
100years,Pedlarsplaysa
majorroleinsupplying
homewaretothousandsof
customersacrossthecountry
asoneofsixfounding
membersofHomeHardware.
FormedinNorthDevonin
1967,thecompanyisdealer
ownedandnowhasmorethan
400independenthardware
retailers,housewaresshops,
cookshops,ironmongersand
Have you attracted more
customers during COVID?
We’veattractedmore
customers,includinganew
generationofcustomerswho
wereabletophoneupandhave
theirordersdelivered.
Gardeningcustomers
especiallyhavestayedwithus
afterfindingthequalityofour
plantsexceptional.People
remarkedonhowgoodtheyare
andhowcompetitivelypriced.
Olderpeoplealsoreliedon
usinabigway.Thosewhowere
isolatingwereabletophoneus
upandwedeliveredtothem.
Are there families of
customers spanning more
than one generation?
Wehavefamilieswithmore
thanonegenerationshopping
withus,oftenbecauseof
schoolwear.Welookedafter
somewhentheywentto
school,thentheymovedaway
andtheystillcomebacktous
forclothing.
Schoolchildrenoftencome
backtousasadults,especially
whenbuyingclothesforwork
orjobinterviews.
gardencentresasitsmembers
acrosstheUK.
Establishedtosupport
independentretailersafterthe
appearanceofthefirst
supermarkets,itranitsfirst
warehouseinBidefordbefore
movingtoitspresentpremises
inBarnstaple.Togetherwith
itssecondwarehousein
Bedford,HomeHardwarehas
anationwidereach,delivering
toretailersfromtheIslesof
ScillytoNorthumberland.It
How far do customers
come to shop at Pedlars?
Wegetabigflowofcustomers
fromLyntonandLynmouth,
Georgeham,Woolacombeand
Mortehoeandfromacross
NorthDevon.
Wealsogetpeoplephoning
usupfromallacrossthe
countrywhohavevisitedusin
thesummer.
Recently,wehadacustomer
ringusfromShattoninthe
PeakDistrict.
employssome80staffin
Barnstapleand30inBedford.
HomeHardwaremembershipgivesretailersaccessto
20,000productsfrom300
namedbrandsstockedinits
warehouses,withevenmore
availabledirectfromsuppliers.
Moreimportantly,itcanhelp
supportanewretaileras
theyestablishtheirbusiness,
reducingthestart-uprisk.This
includeshelpingwithbusiness
plansandotheradvice.
What do you sell more and
less of now?
Weusedtosellalotofparaffin
forstovesandradiators.
Nowweselllotsofhairdryers.
Televisionhasabiginfluence
onhomewareandcooking.
Peoplerushouttobuygadgets
thatthey’veseenTVchefsuse.
Thereisabigmediainfluence
onwhatsells.
Do you still enjoy retailing?
Iloveit.Therapportwiththe
customersisstillimportant.
HomeHardwarewonthe
Britain’sBestWholesalertitle
intheHousewaresInnovation
Awardsthreeyearsrunningin
2017,2018and2019.
MoreHomeHardware
retailerscanbefoundacross
NorthDevoninBideford,
Bradworthy,Braunton,
Crediton,GreatTorrington,
Okehampton,SouthMolton
andTiverton.
■ Details01271337479or
homehardware.co.uk
10 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
he high street
HEADER RETAIL
Charles Glanville Pedlar
shopnextdoorwasacquiredto
whichamen’sandboy’s
clothingsectionwasadded.
One of the most important
reasonsformovingto
Ilfracombe18yearsagowasits
selectionofindependentshops.
MrsZandImovedfrom
Windsor,similarlyatourist
town,althoughmostofthe
independentbusinessesthere
hadbeencrowdedoutbythe
facelessnationaland
internationalchainsyouseein
mostbigtownsandcities.We
hadbeenluckytohavean
independenthomewareand
hardwarestorewithinwalking
distance,butthatclosedwhen
theproprietorsretired.
Sincewemoved,wehave
purchasedfromPedlarsoften,
notonlybecausewecanwalk
tothestorebutalsobecausewe
knowthatwecangoinandask
whetheranitemisavailableor
seekadviceonthebestproduct
forourneeds.
Whenassemblingthepanel
ofjudgesfortheBusiness
ActionAwards,wesoughta
representativefromtheretail
sectorwhohadanestablished
retailbackground,wasfully
awareofthechallengesfacedby
WhenPugsleysclosedin
1922,Chas.N.Pedlarabsorbed
thebusinessintohisownand
ithasoperatedunderhisname
at27IlfracombeHighStreet
rightuptothepresent.
In1946,hewasjoinedin
thebusinessbyhissonCharles
GlanvillePedlar,sincewhena
furthertwogenerationsjoined
tocontinuerunningthe
business.BothNicholas
GlanvillePedlar,whojoinedin
1964,anddaughterHelen
Pedlar,joiningin2005,run
thestoretoday.
Valuing retail service
independentretailersinsmall
towns,understoodthe
importanceofpersonalservice
andwasawareofthewaysin
whichdevelopmentssuchas
technologyarechangingretail.
Itwasalsovitalthatourjudge
championedretailand
Today Pedlarsoffersawiderangeofproducts,including
menswearandschooluniforms;chinaandglassware;kitchen
utensilsandequipment;electricalappliances;homewareand
hardware;plants,seedsandgardeningsupplies;andmore.
Ifyoucan’tseeit,askandtheywillverylikelyorderitforyou.
■ Details27HighStreet,Ilfracombeor01271863509
Editor Robert Zarywacz is a customer of Pedlars and has worked with
Helen Pedlar as a judge in the Business Action Awards. Below are his
thoughts on why independent family businesses are vital to the longterm
health and success of communities
Helen Pedlar, fourth generation to work in the business and a judge in the
Business Action North Devon Business Awards
supportedfellowretailerssothat
theywereabletomakeafull,
fairandimpartialappraisalofall
businessesenteringtheawards.
AsPedlarsplaysamajorrole
inmaintainingIlfracombe’s
highstreetofferingand
supportsretailersacrossNorth
DevonandtheUKasa
foundingmemberofHome
Hardware,itseemed
appropriatetoinviteamember
ofthefamilybusinesstotake
upthisrole.Asthelatestof
fourgenerationsworkinginthe
business,weweredelighted
whenHelenPedlaraccepted
ourinvitation.Intheinterests
offairness,wedon’tallow
judgestoentertheawardsand
wearegratefultoPedlarsfor
acceptingthis.
Likeallourjudges,Helen
hastakentherolevery
seriouslyandgivenalotoftime
asavolunteertoreadand
assessawardsentriesandto
takingpartinthejudgingdays.
Thishascontributedgreatlyto
establishingthereputationof
theBusinessActionAwards
andwethankHelenand
Pedlarsfortheirparticipation.
Pedlarsisoneofmany
independentretailersacross
NorthDevon’stownsand
villageswhoaddinvaluable
richnesstothecommunity.Too
often,wedon’tvaluethemuntil
theyhavegone.
@businessactionm | Winter Autumn2021 | | business action 11
ENTERPRISE HEADER
Demand at enterprise hub leads to phase 2
Barely has North Devon’snew
enterprisehubopenedthan
planshavebeguntodevelopits
secondphase.
Node,locatedofftheA39at
Roundswell,wasofficially
openedinOctoberbyLeaderof
DevonCountyCouncil
CouncillorJohnHart.The
eventwasattendedbycouncil
leaders,fundingpartners,
foundingorganisationsand
entrepreneursalreadybasedat
thehub.
GarethJones,founderand
chiefexecutiveofTownSquare,
thecompanyoperatingNode,
announcedthatoccupancywas
alreadyabovetarget–atmore
than68%andincreasing–and
thatitattractedmorethan100
dailyusers.
TownSquarealready
operatessuccessfulenterprise
hubsinWales,Oxfordshire,
WestSussex,Cheshireand
London,andwillusethis
experiencetomakesureallthe
valuegeneratedbyNode
remainsinNorthDevon.
Facilities and technology
Phase1ofNodeoffers37small
andmediumoffices,a
coworkingspaceforupto50
people,meetingroomsandan
on-sitecoffeeshop.
Broadbandinternet
connectivityofupto1Gbpsis
availabletousers,dependent
onthelevelofmembership,
whichrangesfrom£20&VAT
foradaypassupto£249&
VATpermonthforpro
membership.
Growing business at Node: Ryan Jewell of Integy explained how the
business had grown from two to 10 employees at Node.
Read the Integy story overleaf on page 14
Ratesforteams,which
include24-houraccessseven
daysaweek,arealsoavailable.
Connecting to the Node: (from left) Town Square community director Carl Turner, Jem Gill
of Node, Devon County Council head of economy, enterprise and skills Keri Denton, Node
community manager Julian Dymond, Councillor Rufus Gilbert and Councillor John Hart
Official opening
Ondeclaringthehubofficially
open,CouncillorJohnHart
said:“TheNodeenterprise
centreisanextremely
impressivefacilityandit’shad
anincrediblestart.Everyone
involvedmustbecongratulated
forgettingitupandrunning
andforletting64%ofitsoffice
spaceafterjusteightmonths.
That'salreadyaheadofitstwoyeartargetandhighlightsthe
importanceofthissitetothe
county’seconomicrecovery
andgrowth.
“Thebuildingitselfhasalso
beendesignedandbuilttobe
energyefficienttohelpuswith
ourcarbonreductiontargets,
andit’sachieveda25%
reductionincarbonemissions
comparedtoBuilding
Regulationsstandards.The
CountyCouncilhasshownits
faithinthisprojectbyinvesting
inasecondphaseexpansionof
theenterprisecentre,which
we'reaimingtoopenby2023.
Thiswillenablethecentreto
supportevenmoreSMEsand
startupsinNorthDevonand
Torridgeaswelooktobuild
backanevenstrongerand
moreresilientlocaleconomy.”
User case studies
TodemonstratehowNodeis
alreadysupportingnewand
growingbusinesses,speakers
fromtwobusinessesalready
occupyingNodespokeabout
theirexperiencesofworkingin
thenewhub.
Snow Limits Consulting
ClaireSnowlaunchedSnow
LimitsConsultinginMarch
thisyearandisbasedatNode
fivedaysaweek.Readherstory
onpage13.
Integy
RyanJewelllaunchedIntegy
withbusinesspartnerJames
CookinNovember2019.The
businesswasthefirstoccupant
andhasoutgrownofficestwice
asitsteamhasgrownto10.
ReadIntegy’sstoryonpage14.
Support programmes
Nodecommunitymanager
JulianDymondintroduced
severalprogrammesthatwill
berunning.
12 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
ENTERPRISE HEADER
Startup club
Tosupportnewbusinesses,
Nodewillberunningregular
startupclubstoprovidehelp
andadviceforanyonestarting
orthinkingaboutstartingup
ontheirown.
New business at Node: Claire Snow of Snow Limits Consulting started her
business in March 2021. Read her story alongside
Theeight-weekprogramme
guidesbusinessowners
throughadifferentaspectof
runningabusinesseachweek,
including:
➤ ideagenerationandmindset
➤ socialmediamarketingand
platforms
➤ pitchingandpresentation
skills
➤ businessmodels
➤ contentmarketing
➤ marketingquestions
answered
➤ balancingbooksand
managingmoney
➤ buildingawesomewebsites
Runningthroughouttheyear,
startupclubsareaccessible
onlineandinpersonatNode
onceperweekafterwork,
6-8pmeveryThursday.
Fordetailsandtobook,visit
nodecowork.co.uk
Business accelerator
Julianalsoannouncedafullyfundedthree-monthbusiness
acceleratorprogrammefor
ambitiousenterprisesthatwill
launchearlyin2022.Contact
theNodeformoredetails.
Open to all businesses
Whetherabusinessislooking
forapermanentbase,regular
hotdeskingoroccasionaloffice
facilities,Node’sflexible
membershipsmakeitaccessible
toallbusinesses.Meeting
roomscanalsobebookedfor
meetingsandevents.
AsamemberoftheTown
Squarenetworkofhubs,
businessesjoiningNodealso
jointhisnetwork,gaining
accesstoworkspacesintowns
andcitiesacrosstheUKand
opportunitiestoconnectwith
morelike-mindedbusinesses.
Nodehasbeendevelopedby
DevonCountyCouncilandis
part-fundedbythecouncil,the
EuropeanRegional
DevelopmentFundandHeart
oftheSouthWestLocal
EnterprisePartnershipto
supportenterpriseacrossNorth
DevonandTorridge.
■ Detailsnodecowork.co.uk
Managing the human
side of change
There are many reasonswhy
peoplestartbusinessesandfor
ClaireSnowitwasthe
realisationthatshecouldoffer
theservicesshehadpreviously
providedthroughemployers
andthattherewasaniche
whichshecouldfill.
Claire’sbackground
includeshumanresources,
traininganddevelopment,and
mostrecentlyasatraining
consultantinthesupplychain
sector.Itwasasalargechange
managementprojectwas
windingdownthatClaire
thoughtshecoulddeliver
servicesherselftoclients.
“Idecidedtogooutand
explorenewthings,”says
Claire.“Ithought‘AmIcrazy
atthistime?’,butfroma
changemanagementpointof
view,lotsoforganisationsare
havingtomakechanges.SoI
didit.”
Identifyingadefiniteneed
forherservicetohelpclients
managechangefromthe
perspectiveoftheirpeoplegave
Claireconfidencetolaunch
SnowLimitsConsulting.
“I’vebeenworkingatNode
sinceJuly.Whatattractedme
wasthesenseofcommunity.
I’dspenttheprevious18
monthsinmyhomeoffice.In
thecoworkingspaceyougetto
knowotherpeople,getideas
andalsoreceivebusiness
coaching.Theyhavealso
helpedmewithmarketing,
whichhasbeenveryuseful.”
Thisadvicehasenabled
Clairetorefineherbusiness
offering,whichshedescribes
as“solvingproblemswitha
peoplefocus”.
“Ihelpgrowingbusinesses
solveproblemsandreconnect
thepiecesoftheirbusiness.I
supportthemtoregaincontrol
andcreateagreatcustomer
andemployeeexperience.”
Clairealsoenrolledonthe
Node’sstartupclubaswellas
deliveringcoachingtoother
businessesatNode.
“It’sbeenabitofa
rollercoaster.Youhavetolearn
thingsquitequicklyandnotbe
frightenedtoaskpeoplefor
help.Iloveit!”
■ Details07575597040
Managing the human side of change: Claire Snow
@businessactionm | Winter Autumn 2021 | | business action 13
TECHNOLOGY HEADER
Two IT consultantswho
frequentlyworkedalongside
eachotheronvarious
contractsrecentlycelebrated
twosuccessfulyearsof
runningtheirownIT
consultancybasedatNode
EnterpriseHubatBarnstaple.
IntegybeganwhenJames
CookandRyanJewelljoined
forcesinNovember2019to
completeagovernment
contractandhasnowgrownto
ateamof10employees.
“Wewereannoyedthatbig
consultancieswouldcomein,
completeapieceofwork,then
disappear,”saysRyan.“We
talkedforyearsaboutdoing
thecompleteopposite.”
Arequesttoundertakean
externalreviewofadata
centreinJuly2019gaveRyan
andJamestheopportunityto
workasateamandputthis
approachintopractice,leading
tothelaunchofIntegy.
“Weknewwecouldn’twork
fromhomemuchlongerand
werethefirstpeopletomove
intoNode.”
Nodeprovidestheadvanced
ITandcommunications
facilitiesIntegyneedsto
managethecomplexdata
requirementsoflargeclients.
Asitsteamhasexpanded,ithas
movedofficewithinNodethree
timesformoreworkspace.
Caring approach to IT
First occupants of Node: (from left) Ryan Jewell and James Cook
established Integy in November 2019
Initially,Integy’sclients
weregeneratedthroughJames
andRyan’sexistingcontacts
until–ashappenedforso
manybusinesses–everything
stoppedduetothefirstCOVID
lockdowninMarch2020.
Whilebusinessstalled
initially,Integyquickly
attractedlargeprojectsas
manyorganisationsneededto
transitionfromoffice-basedto
homeworkingandsoughtthe
expertisetoachievethisfast
andeffectively.Eventhough
mostlegacycomputersystems
inusewereunpreparedfor
suchrapidchange,Integyhas
completedeightprojects
enablingorganisations’entire
staff–sometimesnumbering
5,000employees–toworkfrom
homeandatthesametime
achievezerocarbonfootprint.
Integyhasestablished
impressiveindustry
credentialstobackupits
growingreputation.Inorder
tooffervendor-neutraladvice
toensureitrecommendsthe
bestsolutiontosatisfyeach
individualproject’s
requirements,Integyhas
partneredwithanumberof
technologypartners,including
Microsoft(asaGoldPartner),
Cisco,Citrix,Dell,Hewlett
Packard,VMwareandNetApp.
Itisalsoanapprovedsupplier
toprovidemanypublicsector
ITcontracts.
“Wehavegrownby
deliveringtransformational
changethathasreallyhelped
businessesdowhattheywant,”
addsRyan.“Nowweare
lookingtosupportthese
clientsinthefuture.”
ManyofIntegy’sclients
operateinhealthcare,local
authority,MoD,education,
housingandmanufacturing
sectors.Whilemostarelarger
organisationswithsystems
usedbyhundredsor
thousandsofemployees,Ryan
iskeentoworkwithsmaller
businesses.Hebelievesthose
with20ormorecomputer
userscouldbenefitfrom
movingtheirsystemstothe
Cloud,whichoffersthe
advantagesofimproved
securityanddataresilience,
flexibilityintermsofuser
licencecostsandremote
working.JamesandRyanare
alwayshappytodiscussthe
optionsavailable.
■ Details01392796525or
integy.co.uk
14 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
AWARDS HEADER
Enter our 2022 business awards
Past
Weheldourfirstawardsto
celebrateenterpriseinNorth
Devonin2020,buthadto
canceltheawardseventdueto
thepandemic.
Present
Weheldoursecondawardsthis
year,butagainhadtocancel
theplannedawardsevent.
However,inNovemberwe
didhostacelebrationof
winnersfromboth2020and
2021,attendedbysponsors
andjudges,atMoretonHouse.
Seepages16-17forphotos.
Wehavealsobeen
presentingcertificatesto
winnersunabletoattendthis
event.Seepage16-22for
photosofwinners.
Future
Undauntedbythepandemic,
wearelaunchingourthird
annualawardsin2022.
Any business can enter
Thereare12categories–see
rightorvisitourwebsitefor
fulldetails–andanybusiness
basedinoroperatinginNorth
Devonisinvitedtoenterfor
free.Youcanenteryour
businessinasmanycategories
asyouthinkrelevant.Youcan
alsonominateotherbusinesses
youthinkdeservetowina
businessaward.
ENTER FROM 1 JANUARY 2022
Best Employer Award
Recognisesemployerswhoare
committedtoprovidinga
fulfillingenvironmentin
whichtheiremployeesthrive.
Best Retailer Award
Recognisesretailerswho
providethebestshopping
experienceandservice.
Business-to-Business
Excellence Award
Recognisesbusinesseswho
provideimportantB2B
servicestootherbusinesses.
Consumer Service
Excellence Award
Recognisesbusinesseswho
provideservicesdirectto
residentsandthepublic.
Digital & Online
Achievement Award
Recognisesbusinessesuse
onlineanddigitaltechnologies
andtheinterneteffectively.
Excellence in
Construction Award
Recognisesexcellence
throughoutthebuildingand
constructionsector.
Excellence in Hospitality
& Tourism Award
Recognisesbusinesseswho
attractvisitorstoNorth
Devon,offerthewarmest
welcomeandprovide
experiencestolastalifetime.
International Trade Award
Recognisesbusinessesstarting
orgrowinginternationaltrade
relationshipsandexporting.
Made in North Devon Award
Recognisesmanufacturersand
producerswhoseproductsare
enjoyedlocallyandexported.
Outstanding New
Business Award
Recognisesthesuccessofnew
businessesstartedsince2019.
Sustainable Business
Award
Recognisesbusinessesthat
demonstrateacommitmentto
protectingtheenvironment.
Young Achiever Award
Recognisesthesuccessof
youngpeoplecompleting
trainingorapprenticesor
runningtheirownbusiness.
CLOSES 20 FEBRUARY 2022
Enter your business
Entryisonlineatbusinessaction.co.uk/awardsoryou
candownloadaWordentry
formtoemailtous.
Enterfrom1January2022
andentriesmustbereceived
by20February2022.
Judging
Theawardsarejudgedbya
panelofestablishedNorth
Devonbusinesspeople.
Finalists
Finalistsineachawardcategory
willbeannouncedinthespring
issueofBusinessAction,onour
websiteandsocialmedia
channels.
Winners event
Winnerswillbeannouncedat
theBusinessActionNorth
DevonBusinessAwards2022
eventattheLandmarkTheatre,
Ilfracombeontheeveningof
Thursday 19 May 2022.
Awards help and advice
Wewillalsobepublishing
usefuladviceonhowtosubmit
effectiveawardsentriesonour
website.
Sponsorship
Ifyourbusinesswouldliketo
sponsoranaward,pleasecall
07971176044.
■ Detailsandentryformsat
business-action.co.uk/awards
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 15
AWARDS HEADER
An occasion to celebrate
Business Action editor Robert Zarywacz addresses the awards sponsors, judges and winners. Photo: Mike Matthews
At last, the opportunity to celebrate the winners of the Business
Action North Devon Business Awards 2020 & 2021 finally arrived,
bringing together winners from both years, sponsors and judges in
the sumptuous surroundings of award-winning Moreton House
The original planwasto
presentthefirstBusiness
ActionNorthDevonBusiness
AwardsattheLandmark
Theatre.Categoryfinalists
wouldbeintroducedoneby
one,followedbytheanticipated
announcementthat“the
winneris...”leadingtothe
winnerhurryingdownfrom
theaudiencetobepresented
withtheirawardonstage.
Thejudgingpanelmetforaday
onFriday13March2020and
selectedthewinnersforallthe
awardscategories.
OnMonday16March2020,
thePrimeMinisterannounced
theintendedintroductionof
COVID-19restrictions.
Guests enjoyedaselectionofdeliciouscanapésandmincepies
preparedbyTheRoyalGeorge,Appledore,winnerofthe
ExcellenceinHospitality&TourismAward2020.
ProprietorGarthHughes(left)acceptedtheawardcertificate,
fromjudgeSusieKevernofPoundLaneFinancialManagement.
■ Details01237424138ortrgpub.co.uk
The Club Room at Moreton House offers relaxed seating in style
Photo: Sara-Jane Williams
Mulled winewaspreparedforguestsbyBenandLisaGatehouse
oftheGatehouseTrailerBar,whoalsoprovidedthebarservice.
■ Details07340825550orgatehousetrailerbar.co.uk
16 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
AWARDS HEADER
That’swhenourplansfellapart.
Withoutknowingwhetherwe
couldholdourawardsevent,
wecouldn’tsellticketstocover
thecostand,afteramonthof
uncertainty,wehadtocancel.
Wehastilyreplannedand
createdvideos,editingtogether
videoannouncementsofthe
winnersfilmedbysponsorsat
homealongwithcomments
fromjudges,whichwe
broadcastonYouTubeand
socialmediachannels.
Wemadethecommitment
nottoforgetour2020winners.
Second attempt
In2021,wehopedwecould
completethewholeawards
programmewithoutdisruption,
but,sureenough,lockdown
returnedandourjudging
proceededoverZoomand,
onceagain,weannouncedall
winnersbyvideoonline.
The first in-person event for many guests since March 2020, many gathered around the bar at Moreton House to catch up with each other
Photo: Sara-Jane Williams
Wemadethecommitment
nottoforgeteitherour2020or
2021winnersandthatwe
wouldholdaneventassoonas
wecould.
Moreton House
InNovember2021,wefinally
welcomedanumberof
winners,sponsorsandgueststo
thesplendidMoretonHousein
The sound of people talking animatedly continued all evening long in the bar
at Moreton House Photo: Sara-Jane Williams
Abbotsham–ourExcellencein
ConstructionWinner2021–so
wecouldallmeetatlast.
Theresponsefromguests
wasofjubilation,bothinterms
ofbeingabletomeetinperson
onceagain,butalsothewonder
expressedatvisitingNorth
Devon’sstunningnewstately
homevenueforthefirsttime.
We’dliketothankHelenand
HarveyPhillips,ourhostsat
MoretonHouse,formaking
ourbelatedawardseventa
magicalandmemorable
eveningandwehopetoreturn
soonformorebusinessevents.
■ Details01237425519or
moretonhousedevon.com
Third time lucky!
WehavebookedtheLandmark
TheatreforThursday19May
2022andfullyintendto
announcetoapacked
audience:“Thewinneris...”
BrandLanternswontwoawardsin2020andSara-JaneWilliamsacceptedcertificatesforbothcategories.Picturedleft,PhilipMilton
ofleadsponsorPhilipJMilton&CompanyPLCpresentedtheawardforBusiness-to-BusinessExcellence2020,whileintheright
photoOliverThorneofsponsorSleeBlackwellpresentedtheOutstandingNewBusinessAward2020.
■ Details01271372620orbrandlanterns.co.uk
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 17
AWARDS HEADER
Awards win hat trick for restaurant
Best Employer 2020: (from left) Dawn Mullen and Clive Chilcott, proprietors
of the Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar, Ilfracombe
The Terrace Tapas & Wine
BarinIlfracombehaswon
moreBusinessActionawards
thananyotherbusiness,
demonstratingitsoutstanding
successandhighstandards.
First,proprietorsDawn
MullenandCliveChilcott
securedtheBestEmployer
Awardin2020–sponsoredby
CooperGolding.
JudgeRodMartinof
TogetherFinancialSolutions
commented:“Thepassion
whichtheownershavenot
onlyforthebusinessand
makingitsuccessful,butalso
formakingthewholeteam
partoftheactualbusiness
reallycameacross.Thefocus
onlistening,takingonstaff
ideas,mentoringand
flexibilityandreallyjust
caringfortheirstaffisquite
uniquetofind.Theyare
certainlyleadingbyexample.”
Thiswasborneoutbytwo
ofitsemployeeswinningour
Highest Achieving Learners: (from left) Taylor Phelps (2020 winner) and
Kayne Harvey (2021 winner) of the Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar, Ilfracombe
HighestAchievingLearner
Award–sponsoredbyAtlas
Packaging.TaylorPhelpswon
in2020andKayneHarvey
wonin2021.
Taylorhadjustcompleted
herLevelThreehospitality
supervisorapprenticeship,for
whichshewasawardedarare
‘distinction’,andparticipated
inacasestudytohelpother
learners.Withimprovedskills
andconfidence,Taylorisnow
abarmanagerinthebusiness.
Whileworkingforthe
businesspart-time,Kayne
askedtobecomeanapprentice
chef.Hecompletedhis
apprenticeshipintheL2
CommisChefqualification
andalsoachievedCIEHFood
Safety;L2HACCP;L2
Allergens;WorldHost2020
KeepingCustomersSafe
duringCovidandFirstAidat
Workqualifications.
■ Details01271863482or
terracetapasbar.co.uk
18 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
HEADER
Business of the Year 2020 – Made in Clovelly
Clovelly dominatedour2020
businessawardswhenThe
ClovellySoapCompanywas
namedafinalistintheDigital&
OnlineAchievementcategory,
wontheMadeinNorthDevon
Award–sponsoredbyTheSign
Maker–andtookthetitleof
NorthDevonBusinessofthe
Year2020–sponsoredbyPhilip
JMilton&Companyplc.
Whilethepandemicdelayed
presentationofitstwo
certificates,meetingfounders
SarahandCasieHarperattheir
soapfactoryoverlookingthe
coastlinewasareminderof
whatitispossibletoachievein
remoteNorthDevon.
Sarahstartedmakingsoap
inLondonin2004asadirect
resultofhersensitivitiesto
chemicalsineveryday
products.WhensheandCasie
movedtoNorthDevonin
2011,TheClovellySoap
Companywasborn.Casietook
onthesoapmakingin2013as
thebusinessgrewandnow–
evenafterthepandemic–the
businessemploysateamof22,
generatingmoreemployment
forvillageresidents.
Made in North Devon
FromSarahinitiallymaking
soapforherself,thecompany’s
productrangehasexpanded
fromhandmadesoapsto
moisturisersanddeodorants,
shampoos,bathproducts,a
malegroomingrange,pet
productsandhomefragrances.
Sarahiskeentosupport
localmanufacturingandreduce
relianceonimports,especially
fromanenvironmentalpointof
view.Thecompanyaimstobe
asenvironmentallyawareand
responsibleaspossible.Its
naturalproductscontainno
harmfulchemicalsandarefully
biodegradable,anditselects
ingredientsthatcause
minimumenvironmental
impact.Whilefamilymembers
testproducts,noproductsare
testedonanimals.
Thebusinessalsoaimsto
ensurepackagingisminimal,
Manufacturing in Clovelly: (from left) Sarah and Casie Harper of The Clovelly Soap Company
plastic-freeandfullyrecyclable.
Itssoapsandcandlesare
packagedinFSCcertified
paper,producedintheUK,and
incard,tinandrecycledglass.
Italsohasazerowaste
policyforitsproductsandsells
scrapbagsofsoapoffcuts,gives
freeoffcutsampleswithorders
anddonatestolocalcharitiesto
ensurethatnosoapgoesto
wastenomatterhowsmall.
Retail and tourism
Inadditiontomanufacturing,
TheClovellySoapCompany
runsitsshopinClovelly,which
welcomethousandsofvisitors
throughitsdoorseveryyear.
Sellingonlineandthrough
selectedUKandinternational
stockistsalsobalancesthe
seasonalnatureoftheshopin
Clovelly. Stockistsarechosen
withcaretoprotectthequality
oftheClovellybrand.
Business of the Year
Thejudgingofallourawardsis
averyseriousmatterandour
judgesarguewithpassion
aboutwhoshouldwin,
especiallytheBusinessofthe
YearAward.
VikasMahajanofAramis
Rugbyexplainswhyjudges
selectedTheClovellySoapas
winnerin2020:“Alongwiththe
otherjudges,Ihadatoughtime
decidingwhothetruewinner
shouldbe.Wedeliberatedlong
andhardoverproductmixes,
brandpositioning,marketing
effortsandahostofother
criteriabeforeweallagreed
thatTheClovellySoap
Companywasatrulydeserving
winner.TheClovellySoap
Companystoodoutbecause
theyseemtohavetickedall
boxes,especiallythewaythey
chosethebusinessnameand
thebrand,whichresonateswith
customersassomethingtruly
madeinNorthDevon.Plusthe
effortsthattheyhaveputinto
promotionanddistribution,for
me,wasaverygooddeal.”
■ Details01237432153or
theclovellysoapcompany.com
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 19
Since winningourDigital&
OnlineAchievementAwardin
2020,ABSEAServiceshas
introduceditsGardenscapes
Devonbrandforitsgardening
andlandscapingservices.
TheABSEAnamewas
createdfromtheco-founders’
names:AforAlexandra
(Stapleton)andBforBen
(Clisby).Alexandraexplains
thattheGardenscapesbrand
givespeopleaclearerideaof
theirgardeningofferings,
especiallywhentheyseethe
Gardenscapessign-written
vehicleoutandabout.Thisis
alreadyleadingtomore
enquiriesandadvance
bookingsforwork.
Thebusinesswontheaward
foritsinnovativeonline
gardeningquotationservice,
whichenablesittorespondfast
toenquiries.Thisisappreciated
bymanyclients,especially
AWARDS HEADER
Digital landscapes
Growing business: (from left) Alexandra Stapleton and Ben Clisby of
Gardenscapes Devon
thosewithexperienceof
tradespeoplewhoareslowto
respondordon’trespondatall.
GardenscapesDevon
continuestoprovide
maintenance,grasscutting,
When consumers can buy
anythingonline,SHEDS4you
takestheoppositeapproachby
offeringagenuinelypersonal
service.Thisisreflectedin
SHEDS4youwinningour
ConsumerServiceExcellence
Awardin2020.
RunbyRobinLake(photo
left),thebusinesshas
manufactureditsownsheds
since2017.Itoperatesa
showroominBidefordsothat
customerscancomeintosee
examplesofshedsanddiscuss
theirspecificrequirements.
SHED4you’sflexible
approachattractedthe
attentionofourjudges,along
withitseffortstounderstand
theindividualneedsof
customers.Itoffersnoobligationappointmentsand
gardendesign,turfing,patios
andpaving,pruning,fencing
andwasteremovalservices
acrossNorthDevon.
Ithasalsolauncheda
deliveryserviceforkiln-dried
hardwoodlogsforboth
domesticandcommercialuse.
Containinglessthan20%
moisture,the8to12-inchlogs
canbedeliveredorcollected.
Gardenscapesaimsto
modernisegardenserviceswith
itsonlinedigitalquotation
serviceandonlinemessaging.
Individualscanuploadfive
imagesandashortdescription
forspecificgardeningjobsfor
whichtheyneedaprice.
Gardenscapesaimstoprovidea
quoteandavailabilitywithin48
hours.Thisenablesjobstobe
completedfasterandreduces
waitingforcustomers.
■ Details01237239255or
gardenscapesdevon.co.uk
Service excellence
quotationsandaimsto
provideanall-roundservice
frominstallationand
groundworkstofencing.If
problemsdooccur,itsworks
toresolvethemquicklyand
efficiently.Italsotrieshardto
workaroundcustomer
timescalesforfittingand
wherepossiblecancomplete
veryfastturn-aroundjobsto
suitcustomerrequests.
AwardsjudgeSusieKevern
said:“Theygooutoftheirway
tolookafteralltheir
customers,oftenhelpingout
withadditionalservicesto
makesurethatthejobisa
success.Therewerescoresof
happycustomerreviews
includedwiththeentry.”
■ Details07494313242or
sheds4you.co.uk
20 business action | Winter 2021 | business-action.co.uk
HEADER
Training tower supports gold medal win
The pandemic has been a
massive driverofinnovation,
withonenewNorthDevon
productsupportingasporting
worldchampionshipgold
medalwin.Thiswasonereason
whyourjudgesnamed
DymondEngineeringwinner
oftheBusinessActionMadein
NorthDevonAward2021–
sponsoredbyTheSignMaker.
WhileDymondEngineering
hasfacedsimilardifficultiesto
allothermanufacturers,
paralympianJackAyerswas
frustratedbynotbeingableto
trainforthe2020Paralympics.
Afterthetwojoinedforcesto
designanddeveloptheTX3
TotalTrainingTower,Jackwon
themen’sVL3titleatSeptember’s2021CanoeSprintand
Para-canoeWorld
ChampionshipsinCopenhagen
inSeptembertobecomeworld
championinhissport.
Inhisownwords,JackEyers
tellsthestoryoftheirawardwinningcollaboration.
Jack Eyers’ story
Fitnesshasalwaysbeena
passionforme,especiallyafter
havingelectivesurgeryto
amputatemylegattheageof
16.Thiswasduetoacondition
I’vehadsincebirththatgot
progressivelyworse.
BeforemyamputationI
consideredmyself‘disabled’
andincrediblyrestrictedby
mycondition.
Mytheoryisthatwhenyou
haveanamputation(orany
Jack Eyers wins gold in the men’s VL3 title at the Canoe Sprint and Para-canoe World Championships in Copenhagen
life-changingoperation)you
arereborn.Youareforcedto
startfromscratchintermsof
learninghowtowalkand
regainasenseofbalance–that
makesmenearlynine!
Sincemyamputationmy
so-called‘disability’has
openedmanydoorsandI
proudlytakeeveryopportunity
thatcomesmyway. Inowlive
lifetothefull.
CurrentlyI’maGBPara-
Canoeathlete.In2018,Iwona
bronzemedalattheSprint
CanoeWorldChampionships
inPortugal.
In2021,Iwasthereserve
fortheTokyoParalympic
games.Thereisonlyone
medalforsprintcanoe
categoryandsoonlyone
athletewasselectedsoitwas
anhonourtoachievereserve.
AndinSeptember2021,the
highlightofmycareersofar,I
wongoldmedalintheCanoe
SprintandParacanoeWorld
Manufacturing excellence: (from left) Mike Garner, joint owner of Dymond
Engineering with gold medal winner Jack Eyers with the Business Action
Made in North Devon 2021 Award certificate
ChampionshipsinCopenhagen
andIamnowtheworld
championinmysport,which
isanincrediblefeeling.
Elite Standard Rig
Atthestartoftheglobal
pandemicandduringtheUK’s
firstlockdown,Iwasdaunted
bytheprospectofourfreedom
beingrestrictedbythe
uncertaintyofwhatlayahead
–andimportantlyasaGB
athlete–dauntedbygyms
beingclosed.
Withmysightssetonthe
Tokyo2020ParalympicGames,
Iknewthatanytimeawayfrom
trainingwouldhaveaserious
impactonmyperformanceasa
sprintcanoeist.
From sketches to reality
Aftermoaningand
complainingaboutnotfinding
therightequipment,Ifinally
acceptedthatitwasn’tgoingto
dropintomylap,soIgot
creativeanddesignedit
myself.I’dalwaysday-dreamed
aboutbuildingmyownperfect
elitestandardtrainingrig,and
asaconsequenceofthe
pandemicthiswasaboutto
becomeareality.
Whatstartedasscribbles
andsketchesdevelopedinto
therealprototypewhenI
joinedforceswithMikeand
SueatDymondEngineering.
Fromourfirstmeeting
DymondgotwhatIwanted,
andtheTX3hasgrownfrom
strengthtostrength,testedand
refinedtogetustowherewe
aretoday:agreatqualitysquat
rackatanaffordableprice.
TheTX3isprobablybetter
thanIhadeverimagined,this
isnowmy favouritepieceof
equipment–obviouslyI’m
biased!–buthavingusedhigh
performancegymsaspartof
myjobeveryday,Ipersonally
vouchforthisasmatchingthe
elitestandardofmajorbrands
andforafractionoftheprice.
■ Details01271372662or
totaltrainingtower.co.uk
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 21
Change language