Business

Communities invited to ‘take control’

In England the average house price in 2019 was £240,000 and average earnings were £30,667. However, in Devon the picture is very different. The average house price was £253,000 (5% higher) and average earnings were £26,234 (15% lower) making it much harder for the average person to afford their own home here in Devon. Rent is similarly affected. After paying rent people in Devon have nearly £4,000 per year less than people in other regions to pay for everything else. The Diverse Regeneration Company (a not-for-profit CIC) has successfully worked with communities over the past 15 years to help meet the local need for new sports facilities, village halls, playgrounds and more. They are now working with Resonance, a social impact investment company headquartered in Cornwall, to continue this work with the launch of a new community asset fund which will put local people at the heart of the process to decide what their communities need most. The new fund is called Resonance Community Developers (RCD) and its purpose is to help communities design and deliver the assets they need, bringing local stakeholders together to address local infrastructure needs such as affordable housing, sports and leisure facilities or renewable energy generation. Although this is a new fund with a slightly different set of parameters, Resonance has previously worked with community groups in Devon to successfully deliver affordable homes – in Holsworthy and Broadhempston– through their Affordable Homes Rental Fund (AHRF). In Broadhempston a community-led organisation - Broadhempston Community Land Trust - embarked on developing six self-build homes that were completed in 2016. Each household received a 25% stake in the property they built in return for their labour and then continued to pay rent on the remaining portion. Rents were then set at 20-25% below the open market rate for the area, making the homes affordable. A small proportion of the rent payment each year buys further equity and means occupiers own a little more of their house. Applicants had to prove residence in the parish for the preceding two years (or for five years at some time in the past). They also had to have a total household income of less than £60,000 and commit to regular construction training, completion of their building work on time, and helping others on the site. Around 50% of the self-builders now work in the local community and a community playground is also being constructed.

The RCD is a new, follow-on initiative to the AHRF, and invests capital into community groups which will be structured as ‘Community Benefit Societies’ that can issue community shares. It aims to invest multiple times in the same community groups, with small incremental investment in the early stages leading to larger investments as groups secure land and planning consent and commence the actual construction of homes or sports facilities. The Diverse Regeneration Company (The DR Company) is expert at working with communities across Devon; from the first initial project ideas through to turning those ideas into reality. DR Company is now encouraging communities to get in touch even if they’re unsure where to start. Liz Abell at The DR Company says: “This is a very exciting opportunity for our local Devon communities to be a part of, allowing them a real say in the type of project they would like for their area. These projects will help communities become more self-sustaining over the longer term, whilst also supporting those in their local communities who may have little or no choice in terms of existing housing. We are very pleased to be working with Resonance, which has a strong track record both here and across the UK, for successfully delivering these kinds of projects. This is also a valuable means of independent funding, during a time when council budgets are greatly stretched. As such we are really keen to hear from anyone with ideas for their community, either great or small, so we can assess the ideas and help them move forward to a successful outcome.”

Contact the Diverse Regeneration Company by email at community@drcompany.co.uk or visit drcompany.co.uk

Home of the Mall

It would be right to describe Jodie Gray as an entrepreneur, and this is not the first time she has set up a company from scratch. She explains how Home of the Mall came about.

I started a cleaning company when I was twenty years old in the Midlands, so I have always dipped my toes in some business project or other. I ran the business for ten years and, at its peak, employed 20 staff, all whilst bringing up my children. I also created and designed a clothing range for small babies and pregnant ladies. I relinquished these businesses when I moved down to Devon; the move was a great re-set for me. I joined Amano Technologies, based here in Tavistock and met Paul my new business partner. He is director and coowner of Amano Technologies and the technical brain for the new venture. We work well as a partnership - I am more the customer facing part of the business and Paul is the technical wizard.

Our new business is called homeofthemall.com – we wanted to create a name that would be an ‘umbrella term’ for a space where independent producers can sell their goods. It’s a website where small creative businesses can upload their products and sell online. The sales order is processed through the website and they then deliver those orders direct to the customer. The website specialises in independent businesses that create great products. It appeals to businesses that don’t own their own e-commerce website and gives them a platform to operate from. We also find that businesses that do have their own website also want to be with us, as the traffic and volume of visitors we generate gives their products greater exposure. We wanted to create a platform that truly supports independent businesses, so we only charge our retailers when they sell an item and there is no up-front joining fee. Similar national and international platforms can be very expensive to operate from. It’s really easy for our clients to upload their products on our simple-to-use content management system, each retailer has their own login and area of the site where they upload their products. At the time of writing, we have over one hundred businesses on the site from across the UK - from Scotland through to Cornwall. If you would like to see for yourself what Jodie and Paul have achieved go to www.homeofthemall.com, or if you know someone who is creating great quality products then let them know about the site. Jodie and Paul have had the vison to create something that helps small, local, independent retailers and producers. One can’t help wondering what the next project is for Jodie?

Gavin Ayling Senior partner, Ron’s Pet Supplies

How did the business start and when did you get involved?

My father, Ron, started the business in Tavistock Pannier Market. He had a passion for pets and as a family we grew up surrounded by all sorts of pets, so after moving to Devon from London it was just a natural thing for my Dad to do to avoid commuting for work. The market was so popular that I started to help him on the busier days, as well as keeping my regular job and being a retained firefighter in Tavistock. In 1999 we opened the shop at West Devon Business Park which is now the main site of the business.

How much training is involved?

The pet business is now a huge industry and there is a lot to know and learn. Customers rely on us, and it is our responsibility to give them the correct information and advice about the products we sell. Most of our training is done in house with representatives from the companies we buy from. There are also courses available and I would recommend to anyone wanting a career in this industry to do as many of those as they can. We have staff members that have successfully completed the level-3 Animal Management Course which is now a qualification we require if they are working with our livestock.

What products and services do you offer your customers?

We hold a huge range of products for all types of pets, which is actually just a fraction of what is available. So if we haven’t got what you require we are always happy to order it in for you. One of the services we offer which has been a massive help for our customers is our local delivery service; we now cover a 30-mile radius of Tavistock and beyond if needed with our own vans.

Which pets do you keep at the shop?

We mainly have exotic species i.e. reptiles, fish, amphibians, snakes and sometimes spiders which I personally feel brings something different to Tavistock. It has been a passion of mine for over 30 years, and they draw in a lot of people to visit our store from all over the county.

What would you say to someone thinking of this as a career?

This is so important for those maybe seeking a career in the pet trade. Honestly, you really need to love working with people first, be prepared to work hard and have a passion for all types of pets. It’s really not just about working with the animals as some people think.

What is the best thing about your job?

I personally love this job for many reasons. Pet retail is not like other retail shops. Our customers are the nicest people ever and have become friends to us over time because we share the same passions. I also like the feeling that we are serving and helping our community. I am certainly blessed.

Your Local Independent Pet Store

Great Product Range & Prices Free Local deliveries

Serving the good people of Tavistock and surrounding areas for over 30 years Unit 5 West Devon business Park, Brook Lane, Tavistock & Tavistock Pannier Market Telephone 01822 611110 • www.ronspets.co.uk Telephone 01822 611110 • www.ronspets.co.uk