BIPC Devon Blog
Catch up with all the latest goings on at BIPC Devon and read about some of Devon’s fantastic small businesses.
April’s High Street Hero: Forest Fungi
Forest Fungi is one of the rare places in Devon where gourmet mushrooms are organically grown and readily available to buy and eat. The owner Scott Marshall along with his
March’s Spotlight on The Teignbridge Community Project
We’ve covered a lot of well-established businesses and CICs over the last few months, but we’re pleased to shine the spotlight on a newly-established CIC called The Teignbridge Community Project. Mother-daughter
March’s High Street Hero: The Express Pasta Company
Where have all the pasta shops gone in Devon? That void is what Brain Bailey, owner of The Express Pasta Company, fills in Newton Abbot. Brian has managed his independent
February’s Spotlight on Infinite Ability
Last month, we spoke to the director of No Limits Community Café and explored the issue of accessibility in employment from young people diagnosed with complex needs. Today, we’d like to turn
February’s High Street Hero – SNK Hair and Beauty
SNK Hair and Beauty is one of Newton Abbot’s leading beauty salons. Over the past four years, they have built up quite a reputation on the high street, going on
January’s Spotlight on No Limits Community Café
No Limits Community Café is a pillar of Newton Abbot’s community. Sarah Thorp and Amanda Pugh opened its doors in 2020 to provide work experience and supported employment opportunities to
January’s High Street Hero: Becki Leigh Studios
(Photo credit: @girl_behindthelens on Instagram) Becki Higgins, like many, came out of the pandemic with a different perspective on her career. After 10 years of stable employment as a social
December’s Spotlight on Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping Farm
We’ve covered many curiosities around Teignbridge from cat cafes to charity-run rehearsal spaces, and one curiosity worth keeping an eye on is the Dartmoor Reach Alpaca & Glamping Farm. Run
December’s High Street Hero: Yellow Umbrella Gifts
Yellow Umbrella Gifts is a gift shop with a difference. With the support of 28 different artists and crafters and her mum, owner Hayley Kyte has created a vital space
November’s Spotlight on R50 Marketing
Marketing agencies provide essential services for businesses in any area, and Newton Abbot has many thriving industries that benefit from marketing. From community interest companies to manufacturers, there are plenty
November’s High Street Hero: The Plot Deli
The Plot Deli is another one of Newton Abbot’s best kept secrets. Just a little walk from the High Street, you’ll find the beautifully painted front of the café. From
October’s Spotlight on The Cave
October’s Spotlight on The Cave The Cave Music Project is a Teignmouth-based charity that serves as a community rehearsal space where musicians both old and new can book out the
October’s High Street Hero: Gnash Comics
“Why on Earth would you have a comic shop in Ashburton?” Jenny Donaldson, owner of Ashburton’s Gnash Comics, says. Jenny’s shop has been a fixture of Ashburton’s community for 12
September’s Spotlight on Wellmoor
There are many areas in Devon that don’t get talked about as much as others, especially the further afield you go. Moretonhampstead is one such small town with a great
September’s High Street Hero: The Maltings Taphouse
The Maltings Taphouse is one of many up-and-coming alternative spaces in Newton Abbot that focuses on serving quality beer from independent brewers around the world. The Maltings is an important
August’s Spotlight On: MMC Ltd
Last time, you might’ve read our scoop on Phoenix Sounds, Newton Abbot’s community interest record store that unites music fans and local businesses through its dedicated staff and live events.
August’s High Street Hero: Phoenix Sounds
Phoenix Sounds is a community-based record store that has established itself as the definitive place to buy music in Newton Abbot for over 20 years. In a market dominated by
July’s Spotlight on The Laura Wall Gallery
Nestled in the middle of Teignmouth’s vibrant Arts Quarter is Laura Wall’s equally vibrant gallery. Laura has been a fixture of Teignmouth’s community, attracting all walks of life who come
July’s High Street Hero: First Draft Books
First Draft Books, based in Bovey Tracey, is one of many thriving independent bookshops that provide a space for Devon’s growing literary scene. It not only serves as a bookshop,
June’s Spotlight on Cool for Cats Café
The Cool for Cats Café is one of Devon’s best kept secrets. Taking inspiration from animal cafes popularised in Japan, the Cool for Cats Café is a non-profit where customers
July’s Spotlight On Bike Form Fitting
Introducing Ronan Descy, Founder of Bike Form Fitting Ronan Descy’s passion for all things cycling initially lead him into a fourteen career as a bike fitter. Using the same products
June’s Spotlight On: DownStage Write
Down Stage Write is a theatre company dedicated to creating development and production opportunities for playwrights in Devon and Cornwall. Founded by playwrights Jon Nash and Sam Parker in 2018,
June Highstreet Hero: Queer Out Loud
Mimi Jones is the founder of Queer Out Loud performance hub based in Plymouth. Mimi is Plymouth’s Young City Laureate for 2023, a freelance poet, events co-ordinator and playwright living
May’s High Street Hero : Space Property Staging
Space Property Staging Founder, Dani Trow, has been involved in property for over 17 years, buying and renovating properties to a high standard ready for sale. Dani has also been
May’s Spotlight On: North Devon Soap
Helen Cross had always been concerned about the amount of single use plastic in her kitchen and bathroom, but like many busy Mum’s she was understandably, too preoccupied to find