Brexit: and unknown unknowns for East Devon businesses

At the end of last year, local businesses were considering where they were with Brexit:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the impact on business in the South West

The Herald has put together a Special Report on how businesses see things now: 

East Devon businesses in real life ‘deal or no deal’ over Brexit

PUBLISHED: 13:53 05 March 2019 | UPDATED: 13:58 05 March 2019

Daniel Wilkins

So, what happens to East Devon’s small businesses after March 29? The short answer – unless something highly unlikely has happened since this edition went to press – is that no one knows.

Businesses are in differing states of readiness for the possible scenarios.Some are stockpiling in case there is serious disruption to the supply chain. Some are adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude.

Unless a delay is agreed on both sides of the Channel, on March 29 Article 50 will be triggered and the UK will no longer be part of the European Union (EU).

In the meantime various parties are angling for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, a ‘no-no-deal’ Brexit or a second referendum, or ‘People’s Vote’ – though what the question should be is a further debate. Devon MP Sir Hugo Swire wrote in a recent column that this is ‘not going to happen’ as it would only lead to ‘more uncertainty’.

‘Uncertainty’ is certainly something we currently have in abundance.

Would a ‘no deal’ improve that situation?

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging businesses to take three steps in preparation for no deal.

Business owners should get an economic operator and registration identification number (EORI), consider how they want to make customs declarations and, if they import from the EU, register for new transitional simplified procedures (TSPs).

Locally, East Devon trade leaders say they would need a ‘crystal ball’ to predict the effects of Brexit on traders.

Exmouth Chamber of Commerce chairman Ian MacQueen said ‘no deal’ would negatively impact on business. He suggested that businesses, where they can, stockpile materials as a way of stopping them being held up at customs.

Honiton chamber chairman Tony McCollom said this is not something ‘truly contemplated’ by its members, adding: “There is no doubt that trans-national agreements and boarder controls will have some effect on the manufacture and distribution of raw materials and finished products.

“Large national organisations may consider such things as stockpiling, relocations and bi-located businesses but these are not matters truly contemplated by our members.”

Local enterprise partnership

Heart of the South West, the local enterprise partnership (LEP) for East Devon has remained coy over the impact of Brexit on traders.

However the LEP says it is ‘here to help’ and has created a set of resources for businesses to help them plan for the ‘various scenarios they may face’ through its ‘growth hub’.

David Hynd, programme and partnership manager of the growth hub said: “As well as offering advice for start-ups, we can also offer one-to-one business reviews and support for scaling up. We continually update our Brexit resources when new information becomes available.”

David Ralph, CEO of Heart of the South West said: “Our Heart of the South West Growth Hub has published a set of resources from the government and public and private sector organisations to help businesses plan for the various scenarios they may face.”

Go to www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk or telephone 03456 047 047.

Brexit: East Devon businesses in real-life Deal or No Deal game | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Beach Management Plan: businesses oppose seawall and stakeholders demand clarity

There is still no consensus about how to protect Sidmouth's coastline - and still not enough cash to pay for whatever solution is finally decided on:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: still a funding gap of £3.3million

The latest Herald carried a piece which will have emanated from the District Council - and which sought to give the impression that a clear direction has been decided on:
Sidmouth sea defences could cost double the £9m expected as part of the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Scheme | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

However, the last press release from the District Council was in September last year:
21st September 2017 - 'Council’s new coastal erosion and flooding consultants introduced to Sidmouth BMP steering group'

Although the link is actually dead: 

Press releases about the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Plan - East Devon

The last piece of news from the District Council was a year ago, when that figure of £3.3 million appeared - to be paid by "Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion":

East Devon has allocated a further £300,000 towards the future scheme costs, however it would put an unacceptable burden on Council tax payers across the district to provide the remainder of the £3.3 million funding alone. Sidmouth BMP’s £300,000 is included in the Capital programme draft budget...

So in order to help the scheme move beyond summer 2018, when the Outline Business Case (OBC) is expected to be completed, East Devon will shortly be writing to all the residents, businesses and infrastructure owners who will benefit from the scheme. For example, this could be Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion.

15 January 2018 - Sidmouth BMP steering group receives progress update from East Devon’s consultants Royal HaskoningDHV - East Devon

However, things have moved on since then - with the only remaining members of the Steering Group who are not statutory bodies being:  Cliff Road Action Group, Vision Group for Sidmouth, Sid Vale Association, Sidmouth Sailing Club, Local Fishermen and Sidmouth Lifeboat:
Steering Group - East Devon

Meanwhile, most of these feel their perspectives and concerns have not been taken into consideration - to the extent that the Chamber of Commerce and ward District Councillors have resigned:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: "There is widespread scepticism of the process and little regard shown to the local understanding of what the real issues might be."

There are two specific proposals which cause concern:

RAISING THE SEAWALL:

The District Council is pushing for a very obtrusive seawall:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: a 'preferred option' is an extra half-a-metre high wall along Sidmouth's promenade

Whilst sea levels are indeed rising due to climate change:
Futures Forum: Waves are getting higher, threatening coastal residents

... local businesses have made it very clear that they do not see the solution in raising the seawall:

Do you believe that a seawall along the Esplanade would be positive or detrimental to the town?

Positive – 4 (8.9%)
Detrimental – 37 (82.2%)
Unsure – 4 (8.9%)

Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> East Devon MP's survey results

BREAKWATERS VS GROYNES:

According to the latest Herald: 

At a recent steering group committee, additional offshore breakwaters were discussed and it was explained again that although the breakwaters may present a more robust solution technically, they would come at almost double the cost.

The cost has been re-examined recently by consultants Royal HaskoningDHV and they have confirmed that the previous costings as part of the Beach Management Plan were correct.

Sidmouth sea defences could cost double the £9m expected as part of the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Scheme | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

It is not clear exactly which scheme for additional breakwaters was re-examined by consultants Royal HaskoningDHV.

Either the over-engineered option 4 of groynes (from Halcrow and the District Council's 'preferred option'): 

Or option 4b of rock islands (preferred by the non-statutory bodies):

Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: breakwaters rather than groins/groynes

In particular, it is not clear if the new estimate included the re-use of the rocks from the existing rock groynes:

Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: "In the long-term, we need to build more offshore breakwaters across the front and these could be semi-submerged so that they would not be visible for most of the time."

At a Steering Group meeting last year, a report was presented detailing possibly significant errors in engineers Halcrow's measurements of the erosion rate at Pennington Point - with the consultants Royal HaskoningDHV committing to check the impact of any such errors on the project.

Watch this space...

See also:

Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: Local stakeholders welcome project consultant's report >>> Options S4 and S4b "technically preferred"
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: 'technically favoured' option or 'preferred' option - and 'preferred' by whom?
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Sidford business park >>> County Council's Highways objection to the plan focuses on the distribution element - and could ‘play straight into the developers hands’

The proposed new industrial estate on the edge of Sidford would generate a lot of new traffic - according to the applicants themselves:
Futures Forum: Sidford business park >>> "More than 250 parking spaces on a Sidford AONB floodplain? .. No thanks!"

The applicants have quite a history when it comes to developments and traffic:
Futures Forum: Ford's @ Sidmouth & Sidford >>> of supermarkets and traffic congestion

And this development would only increase the amount of traffic - in particular, the amount of workers 'commuting in' to the Sid Valley:
REPRESENTATION FROM SAVE OUR SIDMOUTH (SOS)
knowle_letter_to_planning_inspector_20140113.pdf

Which would in turn increase the amount of air pollution in the Valley:
Air pollution: move children and other vulnerable people out of Sidford? | East Devon Watch

The County Council has voiced its opposition to this development - as it did two years ago:
Futures Forum: BREAKING NEWS >>> Sidford business park > Fords planning application >>> 16/0669/MOUT >>> REFUSED

However, the question is still asked as to whether more could have been done at the Local Planning stage:
Could Councillor Stuart Hughes have done more for Sidford Fields? | East Devon Watch
Futures Forum: The Local Plan and Sidford

Interestingly, the objection from the County Council only refers to heavy vehicles - and not to the volume of vehicles:

‘Nothing has changed’ highways outlines objection to business park proposals

PUBLISHED: 20:00 20 June 2018

Clarissa Place

More than 150 people attended a planning meeting discussing proposals for a new business park at Sidford.

Highway bosses have submitted fresh opposition to a new proposed business park at Sidford as ‘nothing has changed since the last time’.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, head of highways for Devon County Council, spoke exclusively to the Herald saying the department specifically objected to the distribution element of the application.

A change of use is being sought for the agricultural site, in Two Bridges Road, to provide 8,445sqm of employment floorspace.

The plan has received 102 letters of objection ahead of the deadline today (June 15) for comments.

Councillor Hughes posted on Facebook that the council would be submitting its objections and said the news would be welcomed by residents in Sidford and Sidbury.

He said: “Nothing has changed from the last time. The distribution element was a concern last time because it would bring big lorries through narrow streets in Sidford and Sidbury. They are very narrow and just aren’t big enough for this sort of traffic. It is the wrong site for a business park, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Resident Jackie Green said highway’s focus on the distribution element could ‘play straight into the developers hands’.

She said: “Any down-playing of the impact of the rest of the plan, two thirds of the development, risks making it easier for the application to be approved. Worse, if the B8 [class for distribution] is deleted, it would leave a space for even more B1 buildings (office and light industrial), which require more dedicated parking spaces than B8.

“This emphasis in the Highways objection will not ‘be welcomed by all local Sidford and Sidbury residents’, as Stuart Hughes claims, nor by any other users of the Sidford-Sidbury road. The plan as a whole is wrong, not just bits of it.”

The plans state the applicants aim to create 250 jobs and have addressed concerns raised when a scheme for a larger business park were submitted in 2016.

District council ward member David Barrett said he must remain impartial as he is a member of EDDC’s development management committee, which may be involved in making a final decision about the application.

EDDC will make the final decision about the plans.

'Nothing has changed' Devon County Council submits opposition against Sidford Business Park | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Plastics Week in Sidmouth: and the Chamber of Commerce >>> how businesses can reduce single use plastics

During the week looking at what we can do about plastic pollution in Sidmouth, the Plastic Warriors gave a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce:
Futures Forum: Plastics Week in Sidmouth >>> helping businesses go plastic-free @ Chamber of Commerce breakfast > Wednesday 9th May

Here's their report, showing how positive the engagement over the issue is:

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce May 2018

Posted on May 10, 2018

John Hammond (The Dairy Shop) and I were invited to the Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on 9th May 2018 to talk about Single Use Plastic. I spoke first, recapping what why we started SPW, what we had achieved in the short time we have been running, and what we are aiming to do, particularly with the bid for being Plastic Free Sidmouth (we should find out how that is going within a week or two btw).

Then John spoke about what he has managed to achieve in the Dairy Shop, and all the ideas for the major items that are easily got rid of – coffee cups, straws, plastic bags, cotton buds, wipes etc. The main idea was for people to do the easy things that they can do right away, and then start thinking about the harder things to achieve. There are some businesses such a card shops who will struggle if they start only having cards loose – they were writing off hundreds of pounds of damaged stock – but these things may take a little longer to change.

Sarah Burston from Sidmouth Rugby Club had lent me one of their brilliant new acrylic glasses which are going to revolutionise the outdoor drinking culture of the Folk Festival, if we can get other bars and pubs to sign up too. The idea that the unit cost of each one, including a printed one colour logo on it, works out to be about 67p, and they would need a deposit of £1 to be given out, and then returned for the deposit at the end of the day or kept by the customer as a souvenir. If everyone could use these for the Folk Festival the estimate is that would save 50,000 single use pint ‘glasses’ from being thrown away…pretty important to get this sorted out! I will find out the supplier from Sarah – watch this space.

The overwhelming vibe from the meeting was very positive and lots of people signed my form to be added to the mailing list. Since then I have received an email from Ford Simey who are very keen to make changes in their offices and more than happy to be added to our list of supportive businesses!

Dx

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce May 2018 – Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
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How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "multi-storey or park-and-ride?"

Business leaders attending the meeting to look at the future of Sidmouth's high streets earlier this month...
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "MP vows to take town's high street woes to Government - and calls for future vision"

... were particularly concerned with parking - an issue with many dimensions:

Businesses do not generally like higher parking charges:
Futures Forum: Car parking charge rises are ‘unpopular and are to the detriment of our town centre economies’

The District Council does its bit:
Futures Forum: Winter Shopper Special > All-day cheap parking in East Devon just started
Futures Forum: "Supporting town centres with cheaper parking"

Although the council makes a lot out of parking charges:
Futures Forum: An alternative to councils simply making money out of parking charges: "mixed development"
Futures Forum: Parking in East Devon: where and how much...
Futures Forum: Parking in East Devon: where and how much... part two
Futures Forum: Parking in East Devon: where and how much... continued

And it prefers to work things out by itself:
Futures Forum: Parking in Sidmouth: District Council 'now needs to work in an open and transparent way and in consultation with residents and businesses.'

Then there is the issue of 'park-and-ride' for Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: Is it 'Park & Change' or 'Park & Ride'?
Futures Forum: District Council draft Local Plan: and Park & Change 

We are still waiting for a Traffic Management Plan for the town meanwhile:
Futures Forum: Traffic Management Plan for Sidmouth > starting with parking restrictions
Futures Forum: Dealing with traffic in Sidmouth: Town Council requests County Council "that a review and Traffic Management Plan for Sidmouth be commenced as soon as possible."

As discussed at the meeting:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald
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How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "Packed meeting hears that business rates hitting our traders are 'not sustainable'."

One of the key issues coming out of the meeting over Sidmouth's high streets...
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "MP vows to take town's high street woes to Government - and calls for future vision"

... was business rates - which has vexed local businesses for some time now:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > make business rates fairer

And it has vexed businesses throughout the country:
Futures Forum: Revolt against business rates: UK entrepreneurs pay more than France and Germany combined

What is particularly galling is what is perceived as the unfairness of the current system:
Business rates changes 'are threat’ to High Streets - BBC News
What are business rates, why is the Government hiking them, and why are people so angry? | The Independent
'Business rates are the most unfair tax EVER', says former Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis  | This is Money
Give SMEs a break on business rates - MoneyWeek
Business rates shake-up is 'disgraceful, sneaky and unfair' - Telegraph

One solution which is not on the table is to charge supermarkets a higher business rate:
Futures Forum: District Council decides against the Local Retail Levy

All these issues were brought up at the meeting a fortnight ago: click on article to enlarge:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald
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How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "MP vows to take town's high street woes to Government - and calls for future vision"

The state of Sidmouth's high streets is not too bad:
New owners sought for thriving Sidmouth gift shop | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

Making sure it’s all shipshape for launch of new Sidmouth travel agents | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

But it is being threatened with out-of-town development:
New business park plan is unveiled | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And an established business is going on-line only:
End of an era for Govier’s of Sidmouth fine china shop stirs memories | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

Retailers have been calling for 'something to be done' for some time now - and there are plenty of ideas out there:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > "We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief."

A meeting was called last month - but had to be postponed at the last minute:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street > all businesses invited to urgent meeting > Thursday 26th April > CANCELLED

A fresh meeting was convened a couple of weeks later:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Sir Hugo to hold urgent talks on issues crippling Sidmouth’s high street

And the latest Herald has devoted a double-page report to what emerged from the meeting.

MP Hugo Swire called for 'an independent person' to help fashion a 'vision' for the High Street and urged business leaders to complete surveys to take to central government as part of its review: click on article to enlarge:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald
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Plastics Week in Sidmouth >>> helping businesses go plastic-free @ Chamber of Commerce breakfast > Wednesday 9th May

It's Plastics Week:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Plastics Week > Tuesday 8th - Saturday 12th May > the programme
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Plastics Week > Tuesday 8th - Saturday 12th May > the posters

And today it kicks off with two free talks at Kennaway House:
Futures Forum: Plastics Week in Sidmouth > Presentations and Q&As on marine pollution from Plymouth University > Tues 8th May

Things look very promising with a session at the Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast tomorrow morning, when businesses will be given some practical ideas on how to go 'plastic free':
Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce - Open Breakfast
Sidmouth Chamber (@sidmouthchamber) | Twitter

It's to be led by Denise Bickley of the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors (@SidPlasticWar) | Twitter
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors – Doing everything in our power to get Sidmouth single-use-plastic-free
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors Public Group | Facebook

And John Hammond of the Dairy Shop:
Sidmouth tearoom signs up to free water filling scheme | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce - The Dairy Shop
The Dairy Shop - Home | Facebook

A similar event happened recently in Lyme Regis:
Futures Forum: "Going green is DEFINITELY good for business" >>> Turn Lyme Green event > report
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How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street > all businesses invited to urgent meeting > Thursday 26th April

Businesses in Sidmouth have been calling for something to be done about the precarious state of the high street:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > "We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief."

Indeed, East Devon's MP has offered to meet up with businesses: 

Sir Hugo told the Herald he would be more than happy to arrange a meeting for people to voice their concerns.

Sir Hugo said: “People’s shopping patterns are changing and, more and more, people are shopping online – this has been a concern for sometime. We can’t change this, but we can be more creative in helping to fill the high street with independent shops and not chains. We need to think of how we can retain our independent stores and encourage more into the town. We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief. One way we could do this is by turning some shops back into affordable accommodation. We wold then have families and communities living near the high street, regenerating the town centre.”

Sir Hugo said that, to make a difference, local authorities would need to lobby the Government to recognise the problem that independent stores are finding it hard to survive.

A date for the meeting has yet to be set.

Urgent meeting called to discuss Sidmouth High Street’s survival before it’s too late | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Hugo Swire | Conservative MP for East Devon

The date for that meeting has now been set: 

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald
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How to revive the health of high streets > "We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief."

Businesses have to move with the times: Temple Street in Sidmouth has lost most of its shops - but several continue to thrive and other non-retail businesses are doing well:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > businesses thriving on Temple Street

However, the current business rates system benefits the big and micro retailers - leaving those in the middle to take the fiscal hit:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > make business rates fairer

Local retailers have called for a meeting with local MP Hugo Swire to discuss rate relief - with the story on the front page of the Herald:

Here with the full piece:

Urgent meeting called to discuss Sidmouth High Street’s survival before it’s too late

PUBLISHED: 07:00 30 March 2018

Beth Sharp

Local business owners Sharon Hobson,Steve Clarke,Stewart Hayman and Steven Kendall-Torry. Ref shs 13 18TI 0288. Picture: Terry Ife

Struggling Sidmouth business owners have called for an urgent meeting to discuss the survival of the town’s high street before it is too late.

The Herald has previously reported the fears of a number of independent traders who did not know how they would continue if something was not done to make the business rates fairer in the town.

A group of business owners met this week to discuss a situation which is making it hard for them to continue, with issues like parking, pavements and the lack of support from local authorities being mentioned.

Among those who attended were Steve and Lyn Clarke, of The Rendezvous, John Wycherley, of Sidmouth Gifts, Steven Kendall-Torry, of Pure Indulgence, Stewart Hayman, of Hayman’s Bucthers and Sharon Hobson, of Flutterbys.

Mr Hayman, of the Church Street butchers, said he did not make any profits last year and - if he had not owned the building - would have struggled to stay in business. The 67-year-old added that, when he retires, he cannot see how Hayman’s can continue - and would most likely close down after more than 110 years in business.

A rallying call has now been issued for Sidmouth businesses to attend a meeting to highlight the issues faced by independent shops. Among those who will be invited will be MP Sir Hugo Swire, along with representatives from the town, district and county councils, Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Sir Hugo told the Herald he would be more than happy to arrange a meeting for people to voice their concerns.

Sir Hugo said: “People’s shopping patterns are changing and, more and more, people are shopping online – this has been a concern for sometime. We can’t change this, but we can be more creative in helping to fill the high street with independent shops and not chains. We need to think of how we can retain our independent stores and encourage more into the town. We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief. One way we could do this is by turning some shops back into affordable accommodation. We wold then have families and communities living near the high street, regenerating the town centre.”

Sir Hugo said that, to make a difference, local authorities would need to lobby the Government to recognise the problem that independent stores are finding it hard to survive.

A date for the meeting has yet to be set.

Urgent meeting called to discuss Sidmouth High Street’s survival before it’s too late | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Plastics Week in Sidmouth: 7th - 12th May

Later on next month, Turn Lyme Green will be taking part in a big event in Bridport:
Futures Forum: "Going green is DEFINITELY good for business" >>> Turn Lyme Green event > report

And that is the Green Fortnight from 14th April:
Bridport Green Fortnight - programme

Three weeks after that, the Vision Group and the Plastic Warriors will be hosting a Plastics Week in Sidmouth from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th May.

The preliminary programme includes these events - so far:

> Tues 8th: evening visit from the Bishop (Prayer Room)

> Weds 9th: Chamber Breakfast (Plastic Warriors): Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce - Events

> Thurs 10th: evening talk at Kennaway House from Plymouth University  (provisional: Futures Forum/Science Fest)
> Sat 12th May: Farmers' Market at Kennaway House: Sidmouth Farmer's Market 2018

> Sat 12th May: Sea Fest beach-clean and plastic installation on the Ham: Sidmouth Sea Fest – Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub CIC 

It is hoped that other groups will be involved: more events to come.

See also:
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors – Doing everything in our power to get Sidmouth single-use-plastic-free

And:
Futures Forum: Plastic pollution from our clothes
Futures Forum: This is British Science Week > help map plastic on our beaches
Futures Forum: "Everything's gone green!' @ Radio 4's Costing the Earth > "Is it the Attenborough Effect, the power of the newly-green Daily Mail or a blatant attempt to woo the youth vote?"
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The Sid Valley Business Awards 2018: the winners

Last weekend, the Sid Valley business awards were held at the Victoria Hotel:
Futures Forum: The Sid Valley Business Awards 2018: choose from finalists >> last chance Friday 5th January

And the winners of this year's awards are...

Sid Valley Business Awards – full list of winners

PUBLISHED: 09:52 08 January 2018

Stephen Sumner

The Herald can now reveal the full list of winners for the Sid Valley Business Awards.

With 12 per cent of the public vote, Kyle Baker Photography beat 25 other finalists to be named Sid Valley Business of the Year.

He was closely followed by Lexys, with 11 per cent of the vote, and Sarah Yates Interiors with 10 per cent of the vote.

The winners of the nine self-nominated categories were:

• Retail store – Fields of Sidmouth

• Retail shop – Wayside Sidmouth Market

• Sole trader – Lucy Retter

• Hospitality – pubs, restaurants and bars – The Anchor Inn

• Hospitality – tea rooms, coffee shops and tourist stops – The Chattery

• Hospitality – hotels, guest houses and B&Bs – the Salty Monk

• Lifestyle – health, beauty, leisure and sport – Jala Flow Yoga

• Professional service – Sidmouth Print

• Trade service – Fords

The other finalists were Adam Davis, Alpine Park Cottages, Northcott Brothers, Blinis, The Dairy Shop, Funkyfeet, The Glendevon, Humbug, Lexys, Power Plus Electrix, Sarah Yates Interiors, Sidmouth Rugby Club, Sidmouth Trawlers, Someday Something, Tiny Designs, and Willow Studios.

The judges could not decide between website designer Alex Hammond and fabulous fundraiser Charlotte Hadfield so they shared a special young entrepreneur award.

Pick up Friday’s Herald for the pictures of Saturday’s awards ceremony at the Victoria Hotel, which were organised by Andy Downham for Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Sid Valley Business Awards – full list of winners | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And there are other inspiring businesses in the Sid Valley:
Sid Valley Business Awards to recognise young entrepreneurs | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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