Business

Accountancy group takes over forest firm

A Shaftesbury accountancy boss has snapped up a business in the New Forest. Paul Stacey, director of Hub Chartered Accountants, bought Jenny Barnes & Co in Ringwood to form a new regional accountancy group. This latest takeover is the second major purchase Stacey has made in past 18 months, following his acquisition of Shaftesbury-based Rutter & Allhusen last year. The new group, Hub Chartered Accountants, will be made up of Stacey’s three legacy businesses Rutter & Allhusen Ltd, Jenny Exporting to Japan For over a year, we had been speaking with Koichi Matsumoto and his company Dream Studios in Yokahama, to create our first mirror maze in Japan. It had to be installed and open for the Spring Festival. The concept, specification and price had been agreed. “It’s important, Adrian, that both you and I consider the price is fair to you and fair to me,” said Koichi. And it was. All that remained was the client’s decision and his first instalment of funds cleared through our bank, before our English contractor’s factory could start work.

By Jacqui Wragg of Sturbiz A big thank you to the following people for supporting Sturminster Newton’s Christmas tree and lights. It is not possible to have the usual big crowd gathering at the annual Sturminster Newton Christmas tree light switch on this year, but we want to give special thanks to Debbie Hurst and Liz Whittingham for their hard work and devotion to raising funds and sponsorship in ensuring this seasonal event has taken place over the last 10 years. We’d also like to add recognition to our Christmas Elf, Barnes & Co. Ltd and IQ Business Consulting Ltd. It will offer tax, accountancy, bookkeeping and business consulting services to private clients and businesses across Dorset and the New Forest, from offices in Shaftesbury and Ringwood. Clients will benefit from a wider spread of services and experience and economies of scale that will keep prices extremely competitive. He said: “We aim to offer clients across the region a different type of accountancy, tax & business Finally, we were down to four working days, or we could not fabricate the project in time for shipping by container and installation in Japan by our team. Koichi called excitedly: “I spoke to the client today, and it’s agreed! I shook hands on the deal, we are under way with the contract! The funds will be with you within 10 working days.” “I’m sorry, Koichi, but that’s not going to work,” I replied. Ten minutes later, Koichi called: “Look at your online bank account.” There, to my astonishment, was the first instalment in full in our bank account. “How did you persuade Sophie Davies, who joined the team midway to make her very, very special mark on the occasion and we wish her the very best in her move to Devon. For the past three years the town has had amazing financial and voluntary support from the following businesses and individuals: John Roman Park Homes – Colton Care, Newstone House – NFU Sturminster Newton – Stalbridge Linen –Grassby and Close Funeral Service – Farnfield Solicitors –Sturminster Newton Town Council – Porter Dodson Solicitors – Symond and consulting service that addresses their specific issues like lack of time, lack of accounting expertise, a desire to build a business on their own terms and ensuring they retain a fair maximum return.” He added: “Research shows that small businesses in particular are not well served by the accountancy profession. Too often small business owners regard their accountants as expensive, backward looking, hard to access and lacking the vertical sector expertise to give the client to pay within the past ten minutes?” I asked, incredulously. “It’s not his money,” he said. “I paid it myself out of my own company. Clearly your cash flow is weaker than mine. I’ve shaken hands on it, so it’s certain he will pay me. It’s the way word is my bond. It’s an old saying that dates back to the coffee houses in London in the 17th century.” And that is the way we began to build mirror mazes in Japan with Koichi Matsumoto. He has been an honoured guest to our home in North Dorset, when we Sampson – Sturminster Dental Practice – Nazareth Lodge –Market Place Drycleaners –Root & Vine – Stur of the Moment – The Really Tiny Coffee Company – Agnes & Vera – John Carrick Wealth Management – Spear Travel Agents – Stour Management Ltd (formerly SturQuest Enterprises) Sturminster. Thanks also to Mervyn Rose (Rose Engineering), Adam Dodson and the Grounds Team, Wynnstay Agriculture and The Christmas Decorators who oversee the installation and the

Paul Stacey

useful practical advice.” Trevor Bristow, head of marketing & business development at Hub, said: “Our services are specifically aimed at providing cost-effective realworld solutions, so that business owners can get on with running

Exporting from the Vale...

by Adrian Fisher

business works in Japan – my their businesses.” thrilled him with visits to such places as Salisbury Cathedral, unthinkable in such an earthquake-prone country as Japan. Marie and I were his guests in Tokyo, and he took us by bullet train to Kyoto, where we visited temples and water gardens, and shared meals in traditional Japanese dining houses. Our son Wilfred spent his gap year in Japan, teaching English at a school in Tokyo, and again Koichi was a true friend to our family. With Koichi as our trusted partner, we have now exported seven mirror

Thanks so much to all who made Christmas lights possible

– The Co‑operative Funeralcare ‑ mazes to Japan. dressing of the tree. This year, local generosity of donations of pre–loved items to the Community Chest Boutique and The Emporium have helped to raise funds for the lights and new fittings on the additional 45 mini trees purchased by individual businesses and residents for added festive town illumination and thanks are given to Cllr Martin Jones and his team for the installations. It has been a year of huge change for the world which has been emotionally difficult for so many. Raise a glass to 2021 for hope and togetherness. 55

Cable pair prosper with mentorship

By Miranda Robertson swung into action and we wouldn’t newsdesk@blackmorevale.net mentor Trevor Dutton was have chosen for his wide range of succeeded. He experience. really believes A couple who have built a Trevor recognised the in us and that global business in potential in the business and has been key at Sturminster Newton have helped identify an investor in those moments extolled the virtues of a Liverpool, who subsequently we felt we can’t mentoring scheme that bought a 50% share in the do this any helped them weather the company. He helped Dafydd more. He storm of Chinese competitors and Sonia increase encourages us and the pandemic. productivity, improve to keep going. Dafydd and Sonia de Lange turnover and expand. “He is founded D and S Cable In 2016 the de Langes again diplomatic and Braiding Ltd in 2008 after extended their range into always the company Dafydd worked Jute ropes and other related considered but for relocated its cord products. By 2017 they doesn’t beat manufacturing unit up north were in a position to buy about the bush, – it later shut down the back their 50% share, which we braiding side of its business. enabling them to regain welcome.” They got the business going complete control of the Dafydd and with very little working business. Sonia say they capital and kept it going, as In 2020 they took over a feel the CABLE CALL: Dafydd and Sonia de Lange other braiding firms fell by cable extrusion company in business is in a with Trevor Dutton the wayside – there were London, once again enabling good position around 200 companies them to extend their product and resilient, despite the Volunteer Dorset. making cables in the UK in range. This precipitated a pandemic. Membership of the service the late 90s but now there are move to larger premises to They are looking to enter starts from £200 +VAT a just a handful. accommodate the cable new markets in the face of year for unlimited 1:1 In 2014, after six years of manufacturing, cable Brexit and other market mentoring and skills trading, the pair were extruding and cord business. forces. development courses. advised to get a bit of extra This growth has been against To learn more about Dorset Dorset Business Mentors has help and met a volunteer a national trend of a whole Business Mentors call 01305 more than 130 volunteer from DorMen – now called industry being lost to 221 268 or go to mentors, all experienced, Dorset Business Mentors. Chinese competitors. Daffyd dorsetbusinessmentors.uk. senior and successful While they were skilled at said: “Trevor has developed Trevor Dutton has been a business people in their own their jobs they lacked business our capabilities and mentor to well over 40 spheres. The service has and cash flow skills and they strengthened us as business Dorset businesses since 2006 been provided to over 2,000 wanted a business plan. owners.” and was awarded Volunteer business across Dorset over Dorset Business Mentors Sonia said: “Without Trevor of the Year 2019 by the last 15 years. Let everyone know you’re #stillopen with free directory entry

Are you #StillOpen? Then the Dorset Gateway Business Directory could help you let people know. Dorset Gateway, Dorset LEP’s business growth hub, is refreshing its business directory and businesses of all sizes and in any sector are invited to register and feature on their free online platform. In an effort to support small businesses during the differing restrictions during the pandemic, Dorset 56 Gateway is also encouraging retail, hospitality and tourism businesses to register. The #StillOpen campaign encourages people to shop locally and help Dorset businesses hit by the virus –they are also trying to support local businesses in the run up the festive period and into the new year. Finn Morgan, business engagement and Dorset Gateway manager, said: “Our business directory provides an up-to-date register of Dorset’s businesses for organisations to promote their goods and services to suppliers, investors, other businesses and most importantly, customers. “As businesses prepare for ongoing restrictions, many have changed or are changing the way they provide their goods and services. We’re committed to supporting them by providing this platform and encouraging people to shop locally.” The team at Dorset Gateway, delivered in partnership with Dorset Chamber, is fully updated on the latest government and local support available to help Dorset’s business community respond and recover from the impacts of covid and prepare for exiting the EU. dorsetlep.co.uk/dorsetgateway-business-directory