D’MOUTH AT WORK Dartmouth at work A vibrant small town will often boast an eclectic mix of businesses, some of them
quite small. Dartmouth is no different. But some of these depend on the dedication of their owners often well past normal retirement age.
As these examples show, we may soon lose businesses whose services we have happily relied upon for many years unless younger blood soon steps in.
Alan Wright Dartmouth Hire Centre
How long has the hire centre been going? About 20 years. I bought it from Trevor Rendle when it was 18 months old and have been here since. Trevor had the Kingsbridge Hire Centre and he tried a satellite site as he had a lot of business coming up from Dartmouth. But it wasn’t ideal for him travelling over so it was offered to me and here I am. What did you do previously? I trained and worked for four years as a teacher. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to teach as a lifetime career so left for a while and never returned. I also worked with a building company and have done some bizarre things. I’ve been in retail quite a long time running a chandlery for 12 years in Southampton in partnership with Larry Marks, a well-known dinghy sailor of the time. When I moved to Dartmouth, I initially worked at Hercules and then bought this hire business.
Can a small hire centre compete with the bigger national groups? Yes, very much so. My clients are local builders, landscapers, tradesmen, gardeners, electricians and the general public. Most are from Dartmouth and local villages split 50: 50 between trade and public. I can get most things people need but importantly we stock those items that are essential in a town like Dartmouth, things that the larger chains might not have e.g. longer ladders; gardening tools for working on slopes such as long arm hedge trimmers or compactors that are light enough to be carried up many steps. Our prices are competitive, if not more competitive, than the main street hire shops. Have you noticed any changes in what people hire? The general public is more ambitious in the jobs they take on. They’ve seen how to from books, TV programmes or stuff on the internet. I can show them the tools they need. Bigger stores and online suppliers don’t have as much opportunity to chat and advise their customers. I probably know most people who come through the door and can work things around their needs. What type of tool is most regularly hired? Possibly, an electric breaker for breaking up concrete etc What’s the oddest thing you’re asked to hire out? A metal detector to help customers find lost wedding
rings or items of sentimental value.
Is the hire trade a good business to be in? Yes, it provides a good, steady income but I’m looking to retire now, as I’m 71 and have had a couple of health issues. It’s always been my hope that somebody would continue the business when I retire. It’s a way of life and a good income, but it also contributes to the life of the town. I’ve often provided things such as long ladders for the churches and The Flavel, to do my bit for the community. It’s a great business for someone interested in a change of career. They don’t have to be super-knowledgeable about the hire business, but it’d help if they had an engineering or building background. And I’m more than happy to provide a handover if required. There is a need for this service in the town and it would be a shame for a hire business to disappear locally. What’s the best thing about living and working here? The community spirit.
If interested in talking to Alan about his business, contact him on 01803 835560. The Centre is located at the Speedwell Units on Nelson Road, Townstal. It’s open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturdays 8.30am to 12.30pm.
57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164