The Holt

Challenge

Brothers Angus and Joe McCaig bought The Holt in Honiton in 2008, taking it over from another McCaig family business, Otter Brewery. With a clear objective to steer the business through the tricky recession period, they set about taking things back to basics, serving affordable comfort food prepared with local ingredients wherever possible. To help assist them on their journey, they wanted a well-respected accountancy firm, skilled at working with SMEs, to help advise them on an online accountancy solution as well as provide business and tax advice.

Solution

Joe and Angus were introduced to Simpkins Edwards by a fellow business owner and have worked with partner Adrian Hemmings and his team ever since. QuickBooks Online accounts package, allows them to input their own data into an online portal, with all reporting and analysis requirements being taken care of as part of the package. They also draw on Adrian for business advice and rely on the team for what Angus terms ‘the tougher end of accountancy’.

With Simpkins Edwards help Joe and Angus are going from strength to strength with The Holt rated top in Trip Advisor’s list of places to eat in Honiton. It’s no surprise then, that with such success, Joe and Angus, in conjunction with their wives Becks and Kate, have gone on to set up another runaway success in Honiton; Toast Café and Patisserie, which itself was shortlisted for the South West Café of the Year.

“Adrian Hemmings and his team have been fantastic – always approachable and ready to lend us their expertise. As our business grows we’ve really noticed the benefits of having professional support in terms of making efficiencies, helping us with key decisions and generally providing practical advice that’s proved invaluable.”

Angus McCaig, The Holt, Honiton