Bartlett’s Farm Shop

Launched in October 2009, Bartlett’s Farm Shop, near Honiton, has been growing from strength to strength since opening its doors to the public. In 2012 it extended its offer to include a new coffee shop, and just last year won the John Neason Diversification Award at the Devon County Show.

Set up as a family business, the shop came part and parcel of a 400-acre rented farm, which Angela and Leonard Bartlett took over in 2009. Run down and part derelict, the farm shop was renovated by Angela, Leonard and their daughters Rebecca and Nicola, who run the business in partnership with their parents.

Using their previous farm shop experience, from having worked at the Orange Elephant outside Exeter and Barleymows, Rebecca and Nicola have created a strong identity for the business. For over three generations, the Bartlett family have been dedicated to nurturing and celebrating great tasting food and its that farming and butchery heritage that lies at the heart of the shop.

Over the years Simpkins Edwards, which has a highly regarded reputation in the agricultural sector – advising both farm and family businesses – has been on hand to offer guidance, specialist tax and business advice.

Mary Jane Campbell, herself a farmer, a Chartered Tax Advisor and a Partner at Simpkins, has worked closely with the family. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Bartlett’s,” says Mary Jane. “Throughout our professional relationship we’ve advised on the farm accounts, funding strategies and we’ve provided guidance on how best to extract profit from the Farm Shop. We’ve offered guidance on matters such as maternity leave and profit share while Nicola took time out to have her two children, and we’ve also managed payroll for the shop.”

Simpkins Edwards have advised the family on the most tax efficient methods of recovering Angela and Leonards initial investment in the farm shop and have given guidance on wealth generation and future succession planning, something that many family-owned businesses in the farm sector need to consider.

Angela Bartlett who runs the accounts for both Hayne Farm and Bartlett’s Farm Shop, says “It’s been great to have Mary Jane’s advice over the years. We’ve worked together since 2000 in respect of the farm accounts and the farm shop. Mary Janes insight and advice has been invaluable, helping us set up the partnerships for the farm and Bartlett’s Farm Shop.”

She carries on saying “Whenever we’ve needed her, she’s been there. She’s helped us with our bookkeeping, VAT, gross margins and profitability. She has been a great sounding board, which is what you need in a family-owned business.”

“Her independent, objective perspective, grounded in solid tax expertise, gives us the confidence to try new ideas, such as the coffee shop, safe in the knowledge that we’ll be in the best position to maximise opportunities as tax efficiently as possible.”