A Telford company has launched it’s first ever shop after a grant from Shropshire Council enabled them to buy vital machinery.
Woody Wood, based in High Ercall, bought £20,000 of log splitting equipment after securing £10,000 from the Business Enterprise Fund – which meant bosses could invest £6,000 in a new shop much earlier than planned.
The firm has had offices in Cotwall Lane since January last year but the new shop stocks the full range of products and customers can see logs being split.
Natalie Walden, Woody Wood operations director, said the expansion is a huge boost to the growing company.
She said: “Woody Wood has sold products online and in selected outlets for seven years, but we can now sell direct to customers locally.
“We were committed to getting the log splitting machinery because it means we can manufacture logs ourselves, buy it in in raw form, have more control over the quality of the product and be more competitive.
“We have never applied for a grant before but because we were successful and able to match fund the £10,000 from Shropshire Council, it means we have already developed the shop.
“It is looking great and has been very busy since we opened in April.
“We have stoves on display, some of which are functioning, and we are able to supply any brand of stove. It means customers can see exactly what we are selling – it has transformed the way our customers can buy our products.”
Mrs Walden said the firm is hoping to take on some staff later in the year as the company continue to grow.
Woody Wood, which is part of the Telford based Simmonds Group, now offers a range of premium quality logs and fuels, wood burning stoves, pet products such as shavings, litter and bedding, barbecue charcoal and winter home and car care products.
Managing director Mark Simmonds added: “We are still committed to selling online and none of our current values or quality will be compromised.
“This is simply an opportunity to have a direct selling base and expand the range of products we offer.
“Many of our products are produced from forestry waste and therefore fully sustainable, we source as much as possible from British forests and woodlands but some of the wood is now processed on site thanks to the new machinery.
“We put sustainability high on our agenda and operate with a high regard to our environmental responsibilities.”
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