Eden Paving and Driveways... and so much more

By Lucy Bullough

When you hear a company name that specifies paving and driveways, you’d be forgiven for thinking that was all they offer. But at Eden, you’ll find so much more for your garden and outdoor spaces; services that are really worth shouting about. All was revealed in a chat with James Teasdale, owner of the company, who gave me an insight into what the company was all about, why he set it up and the really quite impressive things they can do to your outdoor area. Here’s what he had to say...

CUMBRIAN CHARM AT ITS CORE

James is a proud Cumbrian, having been born in the foothills of Blencathra, and like so many others from this beautiful part of the world, the great outdoors is in his blood. Working with and on the ground has always been his vocation, for his entire career spanning almost 30 years. He’s taken a winding path and gained a huge amount of experience in many different aspects of groundworks which has ultimately led him to Eden Paving and Driveways. Based high up in the Lake District in Penrith, in the Eden Valley no less, James has stayed true to his roots by establishing a business creating beautiful outdoor areas in this area of great natural outdoor beauty and beyond. There is to be inspiration taken from all around, a focus on the environment, access to local materials and so much more besides that make this the perfect place for the creation of Eden.

A BLOOMING BUSINESS

Launching Eden is where James’ career-path really begins in earnest as it has allowed him to use his skills, fulfil his passion and have scope for growth. Not only that, James is now able to really showcase his work ethic and attention to detail, always providing the highest quality service regardless of the job being completed. Yes, there are impressive projects from yesteryear on his CV (remember the London 2012 Olympics? James project-managed parts of the building works required), but it wasn’t until 2014 when his key passion was reignited once more. Having worked for various companies in different outdoor groundworks’ capacities, James found himself on a particular job which really resonated with him. The task was to create an outdoor in a family home that was suitable for the disabled son to use so that he could live a fuller life without having to leave this safe envronment. James said, “seeing the finished article and the reaction the family had towards it only confirmed what I was already thinking – that I wanted to create more outdoor spaces to benefit homes and families.” That was the start of the process to set up his business, and James took his time to do it properly so that the service provided would be one he was happy with. James’

core experience is of course in the field of groundworks and as such, the launch of the business proper was the paving and driveways side of it. “You could call this my bread and butter,” James told me, “as it’s something I’ve always loved to do and there is an ever-present demand for this type of work. We offer several types of paving suitable for garden areas and when it comes to driveways, we like to use Tobermore products.” Why Tobermore? The answer was easy for James; it’s the best concrete block paving on the market. Durable and extremely strong, concrete is well-known for its ability to stand the test of time so makes for the perfect product to use in high traffic areas which will need to withstand the weight of cars. But not only is it functional, it looks great too, thanks to the vast array of colour options available. You can mix and match colours for an entirely unique look, create patterns, circles and so on; the choice really is yours. This part of the business was launched in earnest three years ago, with James at its helm in an extremely handson capacity. From the outset, Eden saw a great deal of success, and James has rapidly expanded his workforce to include seven (soon to be eight) additional team members, working across the different services they offer. But when a business owner has a passion for the great outdoors, and wants to create incredible spaces for families to enjoy, there was no way they wouldn’t expand into other offerings. And that’s how Eden Alfresco was born.

EDEN ALFRESCO

If the past year has taught us anything, it is that our home really can be our castle and spending time there can be just as enjoyable as going out. As a result of the very strange circumstances we found ourselves in, more people than ever before started really investing in their homes to create an environment that they would never want to leave. DIY, full renovations, extensions, redecorating and all manner of ‘house projects’ were being undertaken throughout the lockdowns. So when Eden Alfresco launched towards the end of 2020, they were pushing at an open door. Already, so many had discovered how fantastic it would be to have a bar at home. Or a hot tub. Or a full kitchendining area outside. And the quality of the design, products and finish that Eden Alfresco promises has ensured they have had a stream of customers waiting to have their outdoor space transformed. These areas can be created to your bespoke requirements as James and the team will work in close partnership with you to ensure their perfection. Premium products such as Fire Magic Outdoor Kitchens combine professional built-in BBQs with Eden’s own surrounding kitchen set up. We all know the weather is somewhat changeable in the UK so fixed or even louvered roofs such as the Renson Algarve range can be fitted. Or perhaps you would prefer a more traditional gazebo style in wood? These can look simply stunning, such as the ones fitted with a cedar shingle or thatched roofs. Of this new extension to the business, James says “my passion is to create beautiful outdoor spaces that people can enjoy for years so it seemed a natural progression to enter this field. It had always been part of the plan and it seemed to happen more organically with everything that went on. I’m thrilled there has been so much interest; now more people than ever before are getting real enjoyment from their own homes, and it only looks set to continue.”

Modern and contemporary, or traditional and classic; no matter what your taste or how the rest of the garden looks, you can have an outdoor recreation area to suit. As many of the features as possible will be handcrafted so you know you are getting an excellent quality and finish in addition to a truly unique design. So whether you have a clear view of what you want, or you need help to visualise your dream space, Eden Alfresco are the right choice for you. The new space you are left with can be kept just for yourselves or you’ll have the most amazing place to entertain – the choice is yours.

WHY USE EDEN PAVING AND DRIVEWAYS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE?

When you choose to employ the services of James and his team, you will enter into a different world, one where your needs are met with integrity and honesty. James adopts a personal approach, saying “I don’t think it’s right for Eden to give quotes out over the phone without ever having visited the site or met the person requesting it. We’ll always ensure we come to you, have a proper chat and that way, the communication is a lot more straightforward.” Let’s be honest, when it comes to creating the perfect outdoor area, communication is more important than anything else so visions can align and dreams be realised. That’s one of the ways James ensures he gains complete customer satisfaction. “I always want the customer to be 100% satisfied with the work we do,” James explained. “After all, they are making an investment to improve their home life so it needs to be right for them. That’s why everyone on the team will bend over backwards to provide a personal service that suits the customer entirely”. James’ ethos of putting the customer at the heart of the business has been passed through the rest of his team and he frequently receives comments as to how accommodating and friendly they are. And Eden’s happy customers are their best promoters; here’s what just a few of them had to say;

Mr C of Brampton, Carlisle: “I had high expectations and they were exceeded. I had confidence in James and his team. My house I would describe as Arts and Crafts style, so it had something that would work and enhance what I had. James listened and advised us throughout the job. He had a good bunch with him, who we felt comfortable around and James was always about advising and directing and totally in control of the project.” Mrs W of Penrith had paving laid: “Seeing the work finished, it was beyond my expectations. We’ve created a wonderful extension to our garden that was once a concrete jungle. James works alongside you with your ideas. He and his team were really helpful. They really listen and nothing was too difficult that couldn’t be solved, even helping with the drainage on a large beech tree incorporating it into the design.”

Mr D of Stanton had a new driveway: “It exceeded our expectations. James was recommended locally; he had a good knowledge of the product and had some samples of different types and textures. It’s hard to visualise, but we came up with a design. James was a good listener and suggested improvements whilst also having attention to detail of everything around the job. He also finished on budget. We would recommend James and his team. It was a good experience and we are happy with the outcome.” As if the glowing testimonials and impressive past projects are not enough to convince you that Eden Paving and Driveways is the right company to improve your outdoors, there’s more too. James has always been mindful of the environment and preserving it to the best of their ability. That’s why James and the team do their utmost to ensure as many of the materials they use are sourced locally, and this can certainly be said of the oak, larch and cedar that features heavily in many of the designs. Recycling also plays an important role in the business, whether that be the inclusion of recycled materials in the project, or the disposal of waste products. Eden will only ever re-use materials that are of a premium quality – after all, the likes of oak still support buildings several hundred years after they are constructed so it is a material which certainly stands the test of time! The key thing is that anything that needs to be disposed of is done in the best way for the environment by being taken to plants dedicated to that specific job. A final point to note is that Eden offer a full turnkey solution in that every element of your project will be seen through to completion by them. Regardless of the requirements, James and the team will take care of all of it, bringing in experts from all the fields that are needed. It’s the most hassle-free way to achieve the garden living you desire and is one of the many reasons their customer satisfaction rates are so very high.

So when you are in a position to consider upgrading your outdoor space, whether it be a new drive, landscaped gardens or even the creation of an al fresco dining and recreation area, get in touch with James. His personable approach will put you at ease from the outset and his dedication to customer satisfaction means you’ll be nothing be happy with the changes to your home.

D www.edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk N 07548 934 281 E info@edenpavinganddriveways.co.uk