The West Dorset Magazine, March 25, 2022
51
Business
Print shop owner marks ten years in business By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk
A print shop owner is celebrating ten years in business. James Collins established Print Shop Express Ltd in Lynch Lane, Chickerell, after a ten-year career in the film and television industry. Mr Collins, who runs the business with his partner Holly, said: “I worked all over the world for the BBC and ITV, but a serious injury put this career on pause. “After a few months with very limited mobility, and with the bills still needing to be paid, I leant on another skill set: graphic design. I set up a business called Simply Design, offering a design service to local businesses.
“It wasn’t long before I was being asked if I could offer a printing service, so I scraped together enough funds to purchase a small printer. Using this and some trade contacts I already had, I began to offer a design and print service which quickly proved more popular than I could have imagined. “I strongly believe that the young, fresh approach and
fast actioned responses to enquiries really helped establish a solid early foundation.” Mr Collins went on to set up Print Shop Express Ltd, moving premises and developing a website offering print and signage work including vehicle graphics. After setting up the business, Mr Collins said he put ‘every spare penny’ into developing
a new print plant. He said: “This ethos of reinvestment continues to this day, which means that production quality and deadlines are both controllable, which is vital for our clients. “Aside from this, every hour not spent quoting, designing or manufacturing went into learning as much about the trade as possible including materials, processes and technology. This has never stopped, allowing us to always offer the best solution for the brief. “Customer service should be the king pin of any business. That coupled with the desire to always offer the best product at a fair price has been the key to our continued growth year on year.”
New owners at holiday homes business By Andrew Diprose editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk
Lyme Bay Holidays is under new ownership after it was acquired by leading operator Sykes Holiday Cottages. The award-winning, family-run Lyme Bay Holidays will operate as a sister agency to Sykes from its office in Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis. The business was established 40 years ago with the Matthews family at the helm since 1999. It manages more than 330 holiday homes throughout Dorset and Devon and employs 20 people. All will remain in post. Graham Donoghue, Chief Executive of Sykes
WELCOME HOME: Sykes has more than 22,000 properties for holidays across the UK, Ireland and New Zealand
Holiday Cottages, said: “It’s important to offer a local service with on-theground expertise. Partnering with agencies like Lyme Bay Holidays allows us to do just that. “By utilising our marketleading technology and making these holiday homes available to Sykes’
customers, we’ll help Lyme Bay’s property owners reap the rewards of the growing staycation trend with year-round bookings. “With the support of our regional sister companies, we’re now the trusted custodian of 22,000 holiday properties
throughout the UK and Ireland. “Two million travellers holiday with us each year.” Ben Matthews, managing director of Lyme Bay Holidays, said: “The deal represents a new chapter for the business. “I know with Sykes’ support we’ll be able to build on the company’s huge success over the past four decades. “We knew as soon as we met the Sykes team that it was the right fit for us. “I look forward to working together to promote holidays within Dorset and Devon, bringing allimportant tourists to the region.”
